"Pitbull" Freire improved head movement

[SILVAREDEMPTION]

In my opinion it was the aspect that gave him the edge on this fight. He was able to slip a lot of Curran's jabs and straights to set up his power shots. In the previous encounter, Pat could land more clean blows and jabs, because Freire stayed more stationary. This time he would double and triple up his jab, and Freire would dodge most of them.

Head movement and dodging is a hard skill to master, and although Curran is also really good defensively, Pitbull footwork and subtle head movement put him into position to land the more powerful shots.

I certainly cannot wait for the rubber match. I cannot recall a more even series in MMA history. Both guys are at the top of their game, and everytime they show new improvements. Pitbull got the hand last time. Will Curran be able to assess his performance and sharpen his game to finally shut down Freire? or will the Pitbull prevail?

 

[bjdiaz]

Yea the biggest difference in the fight was his defense and counters. Curran would throw 4-5 punch combos and only land one punch then pitbull would throw those power counters and completely nullify all of currans aggressiveness. I also think Curran expected Pitbull to gas out and instead he came out in that list round looking to seal the deal. I think he's improved enough to win this fight more often then not and should definitely be the favorite if they meet again. But thefts not to day they Curran can't improve and come back and retain the title like he did with straus

 

[xmovingparts]

I haven't rewatched the fight but watching live I remember thinking the contrary.
Pitbull seemed to use incredibly effective, though basic, footwork. Curran was more the working quick in-angles and lots of head movement, while Pitbull seemed to be completely on, dialed into his counters while consistently using good, but not exuberant, footwork.

Was a solid showing by Pitbull, really.