Let's talk Cyborg-Holm

[delbosque]

I finally watched Holm-Shevchenko and Holm-de Randamie. I was amazed at how Shevchenko handled Holm on the feet, but actually think that Holm got screwed vs. de Randamie. De Randamie had more efficient strikes, but Holly was more active, landed some good shots, and was able to wall-and-stall for much of the fight.

All of that being said, Holly's striking appears to be a little overrated. Her footwork is skittish and does not appear to be very efficient. She throws a bunch of bullshit 1-2s with the sole intention of setting up leg kicks. And she very much appears to have trouble against muy thai practitioners. If Holly doesn't land the head kick on Cyborg, I think that Cyborg will KO her.

What do you think?

 

[Your Account]

I think it's sad to have two WMMA fights on the main card on the last UFC event this year.

 

[wompuscatwilly]

I would love to see Holly win but will be satisfied with Cyborg winning too. I think outside of landing the perfect shot for Holm to win, I see it ending in a violent fashion with Cyborg the victoress.

 

[Fahcough]

Me thinks Cyborg better get her out quick or we'll have to listen to Joe say Holm is the most technical striker on roster, right after Barboza fight

 

[Gamer007]

I think it's sad to have two WMMA fights on the main card on the last UFC event this year.

 

[WaylonMercy5150]

 

[kabanos]

After good 217 and good 218... this.

 

[OrigFan255]

Holly gonna shock the world AGAIN!

 

[Kung Fu bb]

I finally watched Holm-Shevchenko and Holm-de Randamie. I was amazed at how Shevchenko handled Holm on the feet, but actually think that Holm got screwed vs. de Randamie. De Randamie had more efficient strikes, but Holly was more active, landed some good shots, and was able to wall-and-stall for much of the fight.

All of that being said, Holly's striking appears to be a little overrated. Her footwork is skittish and does not appear to be very efficient. She throws a bunch of bullshit 1-2s with the sole intention of setting up leg kicks. And she very much appears to have trouble against muy thai practitioners. If Holly doesn't land the head kick on Cyborg, I think that Cyborg will KO her.

What do you think?

Cyborg likes to KO people, but I believe she´s gonna choose to fight smart and try to take Holly down after those kicks and gnp her. If Holly gets up, she´ll be hesitant as fuck to throw her best weapon again.

 

[OrigFan255]

I think it's sad to have two WMMA fights on the main card on the last UFC event this year.

Giant Silva vs. Tyoshi Kosaka Is what I wanted.

 

[Andy Anderson]

Holm has almost no chance, except maybe freak accidents. Cyborg went to the distance with Baars who is taller, more skillful and better than her everywhere. Steroid is a hell of drug!

 

[CPH]

I think that Germaine and Valentina have much better technique and reactions than Cyborg. That's mainly what Holm was struggling with.

As a dutch-style kickboxer, Cyborg has some of the same tools, but she is not as skilled. Holm should be able to catch her more easily. She is a buzzsaw though: massive power and speed ...which isn't trivial to deal with either.

 

[myjohnson9]

For me it’s about will Holly’s chin hold up.
If Cyborg doesn’t KO her in the first 7 minutes... Holly will win

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Both those women waited for Holm to engage and that flustered Holly. Rewatch both fights again. They sat back, waited, and Holms would then engage them and that's when they would unload on her.

Hollys offense can be weak at times. Very predictable.

 

[Sansnom]

I think it's sad to have two WMMA fights on the main card on the last UFC event this year.

 

[Eater of Souls]

I finally watched Holm-Shevchenko and Holm-de Randamie. I was amazed at how Shevchenko handled Holm on the feet, but actually think that Holm got screwed vs. de Randamie. De Randamie had more efficient strikes, but Holly was more active, landed some good shots, and was able to wall-and-stall for much of the fight.

All of that being said, Holly's striking appears to be a little overrated. Her footwork is skittish and does not appear to be very efficient. She throws a bunch of bullshit 1-2s with the sole intention of setting up leg kicks. And she very much appears to have trouble against muy thai practitioners. If Holly doesn't land the head kick on Cyborg, I think that Cyborg will KO her.

What do you think?

I think that unless Cyborg trips and falls into Holly's LHK, Cyborg by being a 180 lbs. man.

That being said, yes, Holly's striking is over-rated. Sure, she did well in boxing, but women's boxing is shit. In MMA, she carries far too much weight on her front foot and her hips are too square. She starts combo's from too far out, which results in her jab being a throw-away shot. (look at her striking percentage). Her side kick off of her front foot takes too long due to the position of her hips, and her weight being on her front foot takes power away from her left hook/straight. She could have a good check hook or counter-hook (she does not, and is not really a counter-striker, despite what is often said). But the only person she ever landed a good check hook on was Ronda, who conveniently (and thankfully) ran face first into this shot over and over. It would not have had the power it did if Ronda striking and striking defense did not so strongly resemble that of a squid. On land. On mescaline.

Holly cannot wall-n-stall vs. Cyborg. Holly has some options, but she has shown no evidence of them (such as leg kicks with her movement would work well, and hope to tire Cyborg out - although Cris has never shown any cardio issues, and has gone as far as the fourth round).

Really, unless Holly lands the one shot she has, that is it. And it is not as if Cyborg's camp does not know this.

 

[delbosque]

Some good responses!

 

[Sean Long]

Holm has almost no chance, except maybe freak accidents. Cyborg went to the distance with Baars who is taller, more skillful and better than her everywhere. Steroid is a hell of drug!

Im not sure why people bring up the Baars fight at all.....it was NOT an MMA fight but rather a dedicated Muay Thai fight. Not nearly the same thing.

 

[peytonlucy]

Cyborg relies totally on power for takedowns. She may have trouble taking Holly down. I can't picture Cyborg continuing to try for takedowns after two failed attempts, if even that many. Cyborg very likely will try to fight in a slower paced controlled manner, which will ensure that Holly survives. Holly will run; her side-to-side circling motion is nearly running. The fight has a good chance to be a low-action dance, with the announcers shrilling every minute that Holly survives.

Holly needs three rounds, but doesn't actually need to win those rounds - just get the judges vote. If Cyborg fights in a controlled fashion Holly can steal three rounds. I think that Holly's standup defense is predicated on distance and not her ability to slip punches or roll with punches.

Cyborg may need all five rounds to stop Holly, and if she doesn't pressure early, she may run out of time. This is an interesting fight. I favor Cyborg but 3-1 odds are a little too wide. Holly could win this fight.

 

[peytonlucy]

If Cyborg dominates Holly can we agree that she is the female GOAT? If Holly ko's Cyborg can we agree that Cyborg benefited from weak competition and was over-rated?