Does Leon Have A Chance Against Islam?

[ipowerslapmywife]

Leon can KO Islam, especially if he’s starting to get tired in the later rounds.

Then again, Islam would/could submit him any time.

Leon only has one KO his entire career. He’s not a finisher

 

[Hitdepruns]

Leon will be a difficult fight for Islam... i think he loses.

 

[markantony20]

Usman wrestlefucked him and lightweight Colby got him down several times. I think Islam subs him, unlike Usman Islam will go for subs

True but Leon actually had I higher percentage of takedowns against Colby 56% - 20%

 

[ryun253]

Leon is a lanky 6'2, don't think Islams gas tank can afford to miss a takedown without expending that much energy

 

[HolmeZy55]

Leon is bigger and a solid all round fighter, Islam struggled with Volk in their first fight and now Dustin. So yeah I do think he has a chance, and a good one at that. In fact I would say he should be the favorite.

 

[Brendan The Hybrid Schaub]

Yeah he probably beats him

 

[markantony20]

I think one of Islam's biggest problems will be getting into a position to use his grappling effectively. Leon is great a staying at his preferred range. Like I said I'd watch the hell out of the fight and if Islam beats Arman and when Leon beats Belal I say book it up

I agree. Leon fights very long and he can manage distance with his jab and always pose a threat with that sniper of a rear hand.

And Leon is a very good wall wrestler.

 

[ipowerslapmywife]

True but Leon actually had I higher percentage of takedowns against Colby 56% - 20%

He took down Usman too. His size might be a problem for Islam just like it was for Colby

 

[markantony20]

Leon is bigger and a solid all round fighter, Islam struggled with Volk in their first fight and now Dustin. So yeah I do think he has a chance, and a good one at that. In fact I would say he should be the favorite.

I agree Sherbro

 

[Jon's Drug Dealer]

I mean, Volk is a 145er and gave him a competitive fight. Dustin is almost 36 and made it competitive and was 2-2 going into the fifth on one scorecard, stuffing 11 of 16 takedowns and slicing Islam up. Leon is an absolutely massive 170er. Leon wins a one-sided decision.

 

[markantony20]

Leon is a lanky 6'2, don't think Islams gas tank can afford to miss a takedown without expending that much energy

Has Islam struggled with his gas tank before?

He did look tired in the first Volk fight.

 

[Afrikan]

Even though I expect Leon to win or do well... if I were him, I'd still cash out Mateusz Gamrot and fly his ass 1st class to Birmingham to train!

Dustin looked great!

 

[ryun253]

Has Islam struggled with his gas tank before?

He did look tired in the first Volk fight.

He was pretty tired when Dustin was stuffing him, not totally exhausted but tired to he couldn't fully execute or go for double shots. Now it's going to be a bigger taller guy stuffing, but maybe weight could be factor for Islams gas tank

 

[balkanbomber85]

This thread is clearly just a Dagi-Bathtub counter thread to the other one claiming Islame has no chance against Edwards...

In reality Islame was lucky he didn't draw against Volk and now went 2-2 against no hip way over the hill Dustin before securing the choke.

For now he has no business in asking for a title fight in the higher weight class and if he somehow gets it he will be the underdog for a reason.

 

[JKS]

What do you think the odds would be it wouldn't surprise me if Islam opened as the underdog but closed as a slight favorite. Leon is criminally underrated

Leon - 100

 

[JKS]

I guess it depends on Leon’s next performance really, if he only squeaks by Belal the odds could be different but I do agree he should be the favourite in the matchup.

I think it’s gonna be pretty dominant vs Belal.

I also think Islam will handle Arman without too much trouble

 

[DomiDomi]

Leon's last 4 training camps have been training for forward pressure wrestlers - Usman x2, Colby, Belal. That's 4 training camps in a row training to defend takedowns, hold the centre of the cage, and keep the fight at kicking range.

He just beat Usman (3rd fight), and Colby by somewhat clear decisions by defending takedowns, getting back up to his feet, holding centre and keeping the fight at kicking range. I assume he will do the same to Belal.

If Leon fought Islam next, that's 5 training camps in a row preparing a very similar game-plan vs a wrestler.

This idea that if Islam gets a takedown he's just going to sub Leon easily or hold him down for entire rounds seems unlikely to me. Volk survived full 5 rounds with Islam, Poirier almost survived 5 rounds - both of them had success in defending takedowns, and getting back to the feet when they were taken down, and avoiding submissions when they were taken down. People talk like the fight is over as soon as Islam gets you down, but it's not the case.

Leon has never lost by submission.

You should generally always favour the fighter from the higher weight class in these match ups unless there's a giant skill gap in favour of the smaller man, or a massive stylistic weakness on the part of the bigger man. Considering Leon has been beating the welterweight grapplers comfortably recently, is on a 12 fight win streak, and the bigger man, I'd surprised that so many people think the Islam is the favourite.

If it does end up primarily a striking match I'd favour Leon to edge out a decision.

Leon gets underrated because he's a bit boring.

 

[Soggust]

I think on paper and stylistically Leon should be a favorite.

But no matter how slick Leon's wrestling is (and I think it's good), I don't think fighters understand where the Dagestani wrestling is levels-wise, until they experience it first-hand.

I think one of the biggest advantages DP had in this fight was having fought Khabib and understanding how high the bar was going to be and the absolute fucking nuclear emergency level importance of not overextending and staying away from the cage.

Guys that haven't fought the Dagestani's can be prone to lapsing concentration for a few seconds and being taken advantage of imo.

I'll be betting Islam and would expect him to be the favorite.

 

[pātrēärkē]

Islam relies a lot on his strength and I don't think he'll have that advantage against Leon.

Leon is bigger and a more diverse striker. Tough fight for Islam, I'd favor Leon in it

 

[Rio Ferdinand]

I think Leon wins because he is even harder to take down than Dustin and has arguably the better striking & defence.

He is also bigger.

This is a fight they need to make though. Right after the belal fight. That would actually be a fight I'd be hyped for.