Izzy is just a horrendous matchup for Bobby

[The Legendary Scarface]

There's nothing I'd love to see more than Whittaker pull it off and get that MW belt back, and he can do it... But it's TOUGH man...

Izzy is just a horrible matchup for him. How do I put this eloquently - the discrepancy in their striking AND reach (7 inches) , is far larger than Adesanya's weaknesses in the grappling department, and ability to defend a TD in general.

This is what these guys drill over and over at CKB with Izzy. He's pretty good at TDD and is getting better at it. His height and length also give him good leverage to defend takedowns.. Jan was an exception to the rule because of his strength and size. Bobby unfortunately doesn't have that size or strength so I think he'll struggle to get Israel on the ground tbh.

That'll leave Bobby back at square 1, the same problem from the first fight - figure this man out and beat him at his own game - striking. The first time , Bobby was doing pretty well early on until he started head hunting and blitzing like a mad man. But that's the problem with facing a savvy kickboxer like Izzy, you're not really gonna ever have his number and control the exchanges to win a decision, particularly when he's controlling the distance.. You'll eventually get figured out. The one to beat Izzy at MW will have to be someone who will hurt and finish Izzy on the feet, and I'm hoping Bobby does, but I'm skeptical folks.

Discuss...

 

[Kos Fan]

Reminds me of Silva VS Franklin, two great fighters but one is just on another level.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

Reminds me of Silva VS Franklin, two great fighters but one is just on another level.

Yeah that's a fair comparison

 

[MrFreeze]

Yeah that's a fair comparison

??? Bobby is so much better than Franklin it's not funny, and Izzy is not nearly that much better than Bobby either

 

[masfonos]

All the way out or all the way in

 

[Lights Out 101]

To be fair we were saying the same thing about Ngannou against Cyril literally a week ago

 

[Viking Power]

Solid analysis. I’d like to see Bobby do it but it’s a helluva hill to climb.

 

[UFCIsNOTRigged]

I finished taping this fight yesterday and am shocked Izzy is a decently sized favorite. Rob absolutely dominated Kelvin Gastelum who despite being undersized for the division is a far more well rounded fighter than Izzy.

I am expecting Rob to employ a strategy similar to the one Jan Blachowicz did, with more wrestling early, and would not be surprised if he won every single round. Izzy will pick you apart if you fight him from long to mid range but if you make the fight more dirty and don't give him the space he needs to setup shots, in addition to the takedown threat, it makes his path to victory a lot more difficult.

Izzy has power but he does not load up on shots so if Rob is as sound defensively as he has been over his last three fights it is hard to see Izzy getting the finish. I am a fan of Izzy but don't see how this is not the hardest MMA fight of his career thus far.

 

[Question]

I can see Whittaker winning a decision, he seems to have a good mindset.

This fight will have the best of both versions here and if Whittaker has a good team behind him, their best bet is mixing everything up.
Striking(legs, body and head), wrestling when the opportunity presents itself and doesn't constantly blitz in like the 1st fight(time it instead with takedown feints).

Izzy might be slightly underestimating Rob, but I doubt it.
If there's a finish tho, I think it'll be from Izzy.

 

[Poirierfan]

Reminds me of Silva VS Franklin, two great fighters but one is just on another level.

Good example, more than likely it'll be the same outcome as well. You don't get much better than Israel when it pertains to standup

 

[asdf122345]

Yep this is like anderson silva vs rich franklin feud. Whittaker might do better the 2nd time around only to be finish in the later round. Izzy by tko round 4 this time.

 

[Poirierfan]

??? Bobby is so much better than Franklin it's not funny, and Izzy is not nearly that much better than Bobby either

Idk, I think it's a fair comparison no matter if their skills were better or worse.

 

[Bradillac]

I don't rate Izzy very highly, I think Rob takes this.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

Bobby is my favourite fighter but I tend to agree. His concealed attacks like that fade away headkick won't work against someone as good at range control as Izzy. Whittakers best approach is to make it grindy and try to improve on the vettori route...which I think is possible just not probable.


I hope I'm wrong

 

[Egészségére!]

Man I'd like to see Bobby take it but it's a terrible matchup plus the second time around I'd favor Izzy even more

He should try this

 

[Reign009]

Rob will do much better this time.

 

[Worthmore]

Rob will likely KTFO him

 

[Substance Abuse]

Bobby is going to have to fight the best fight of his life to win this.

 

[TR1]

Yep, and I havn't seen anything since their rematch that suggest this will go differently.

Rooting for Rob but fully expect Izzy to destroy him, again.

 

[textwarrior]

I see Rob going deep and playing it more technical this time around, but, only to a limit. I think Rob's limitations might push him back into the same traps in over committing but who know, I am sure they will have the best strategy this time around. I think he has the potential to pull it off but will need his A game.