Fedor has to go through not one, but two double-leg-top-control masters

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Both Sonnen and Bader are amazing wrestlers and their bread and butter is double-legging and holding down their opponents. It is undeniable that both guys are extremely good at their craft. Look at what Bader just did to Mitrione, it was an amazing display of top control.
Now, the main question is: can Fedor deal with guys like that and more importantly, can he do it TWO times in a row (assuming that he beats Sonnen)? We don't know what Fedor's guard looks like these days, haven't seen him pull a submission since the Pride days. Fedor fell in love with the standup game too fucking much. For his own sake, I hope he is prepared for some serious work from his guard. He needs to shake the dust off of those submission skills he stored in the closet, because simply relying on TDD is not going to work with Sonnen and Bader.
Two extremely difficult tasks ahead of him.
 
Fedor subbed Sylvia in Affliction. Still a while ago, but I had to say it on GP.

Fedor is fine. He is great at judo, has great balance and throws. Not worried about Chael at all. Bader is the greater challenge of the two, and Bader is prone to intimidation so Fedor, being the GOAT and all, is a huge challenge for him, psychologically. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, RE: Bader vs Rumble.
 
Just a few fights ago

giphy.gif


Then a few submission attempts and guard passes later...

giphy.gif
 
Fedor is gonna smash Sonnen. However, Bader is a different beast entirely.
 
Sonnen isnt an easy fight for Fedor to win but if he stops a few takedowns hes going to fuck Sonnen up. If Fedor cant stop the takedowns he will be in for a long night. With the way Bader looked tonight I find it hard to believe that Fedor at 42 will be able to handle the wrestling and and the pace of Bader. Bader is a monster at 235lbs.
 
Fedor's best chance of winning against Sonnen is landing a punch on the feet or getting a sub from the bottom...in the first round. I think if Chael establishes a rhythm and survives the first round, he'll beat Fedor via lay n' pray.
 
Chael has already said as soon as Fedor throws that right hand hes going to duck under and try take him down.
Although im happy to see Fedor finish Chael early with punches im intrigued to see if Fedor could pull off a submission from the bottom as he has done before against wrestlers.
Also the more time hes on the ground is good preparation should he win and fight Bader.
 
The Sonnen fight is a good test to see where Fedor is at. If Sonnen wins, you can almost guarantee he’ll get destroyed by Bader.

Bader does everything better.
 
Big question here is: does Fedor still have subs from his guard?
If the Fedor that subbed Mark Coleman shows up, things will be fine. Problem is that we haven't seen that Fedor in awhile.
 
Sonnen is the easiest fight Fedor could ever have. A smaller, weaker man with no finishing skills on the mat or on the feet. It is an incredible mismatch that Fedor will have no trouble with whatsoever.

Bader does present real issues though especially if he just continues to head hunt. At this stage in his career I can't see much else coming from him
 
Bobby Digital said:
Fedor subbed Sylvia in Affliction. Still a while ago, but I had to say it on GP.

Fedor is fine. He is great at judo, has great balance and throws. Not worried about Chael at all. Bader is the greater challenge of the two, and Bader is prone to intimidation so Fedor, being the GOAT and all, is a huge challenge for him, psychologically. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, RE: Bader vs Rumble.
Click to expand...
Sylvia was concussed, lol
 
Sonnen is a kinda a weird opponent. He can look really bad and then look really good. Finished Shogun yet gets crushed by Tito. Never thought he would beat Rampage.
 






At 227 lbs, I don't see Chael shooting double leg takedowns. Rather, I think he will use his greco background and try bodylocks and trips (like he did against Rampage).

I sense this will be more akin to Fedor's win over Linland (minus the rope grab).
 
Danespina said:
Just a few fights ago

giphy.gif


Then a few submission attempts and guard passes later...

giphy.gif
Click to expand...
That guy can't grapple at all and still made fedor work for that takedown. And it was in a ring, where fedor knows how to control angles
 
Neither Is half the takedown artist Coleman was
 
Mentallooser said:
That guy can't grapple at all and still made fedor work for that takedown. And it was in a ring, where fedor knows how to control angles
Click to expand...

The fight was less than 2.5 minutes long. The only takedown he had to work for was when Jaideep wrapped his arm around the rope.
 
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