RDR has poor defense and how to exploit it

[Pain4Pain]

RDR is a good offensive fighter but his defense has a lot of openings.

RDR never moved his head off center line to avoid Rob’s jab. He would just raise his guard, posture back, and retreat to avoid the cross. Rob could’ve thrown more feints, or alternated the jab with a cross to the body and jab with a cross to the head. A leg kick on RDR’s retreat would’ve kept him guessing too.

RDR literally hugs his way into most of the grappling exchanges. A short left hook or shovel hook to the liver would’ve disrupted his entries. He also uses the clinch poorly in open space for such a taller fighter.

RDR drops his left arm when throwing the left knee to maintain his balance, which Rob timed well with the overhands. RDR started baiting the overhand with a knee to initiate grappling, but Rob could’ve thrown just a single head kick to break up his timing and use it for feints.

In R5 Rob finally started hitting the body on RDR’s retreat and it really disrupted his rhythm. As soon as he gets hit he raises his guard, becoming very susceptible to a head-body-head combo.

 

[SaltedVinegarfootstomps]

RDR is a good offensive fighter but his defense has a lot of openings.

RDR never moved his head off center line to avoid Rob’s jab. He would just raise his guard, posture back, and retreat to avoid the cross. Rob could’ve thrown more feints, or alternated the jab with a cross to the body and jab with a cross to the head. A leg kick on RDR’s retreat would’ve kept him guessing too.

RDR literally hugs his way into most of the grappling exchanges. A short left hook or shovel hook to the liver would’ve disrupted his entries. He also uses the clinch poorly in open space for such a taller fighter.

RDR drops his left arm when throwing the left knee to maintain his balance, which Rob timed well with the overhands. RDR started baiting the overhand with a knee to initiate grappling, but Rob could’ve thrown just a single head kick to break up his timing and use it for feints.

In R5 Rob finally started hitting the body on RDR’s retreat and it really disrupted his rhythm. As soon as he gets hit he raises his guard, becoming very susceptible to a head-body-head combo.

RDR has a certain gumby quality to his movement and damage absorption. At times he looks silly and almost whimsical spinning around like an idiot, then he will throw out some solid jabs and seems to become an oppressive force. He's a bit like DDP in that he seems incredibly unique, and sloppy, but his skills are undeniable

 

[MetaIIica]

You should sign up to the UFC and try this on him

 

[Luthien]

You should sign up to the UFC and try this on him

Ts in his mind beating up De Ridder

 

[USA!USA!]

"His defense has a lot of openings... He also uses the clinch poorly in open space for such a taller fighter"





Classic Sherdog.

 

[ElLunico]

Hes so unathletic. But hes huge for that weight class with long limbs and clearly to be tough as hell. Hes a problem because of how big he is but I dont see any special quality. Like I said he's slow as hell

 

[Aurelian]

Hes so unathletic. But hes huge for that weight class with long limbs and clearly to be tough as hell. Hes a problem because of how big he is but I dont see any special quality. Like I said he's slow as hell

His grappling presents a threat too. MW isn't exactly stacked with beastly grapplers except Khamzat, and being able to constantly pressure your opponent even while taking damage is an asset too. Those body shots, pressure, and the grappling all combined together really sapped Rob's gas tank by the end of the 3rd.

 

[Bork Neslar]

Your analysis seems valid.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

You should sign up to the UFC and try this on him

Is that how it works; you just sign up after training UFC??!!

 

[Rhood]

He's missing Judo/Sambo trips in his arsenal.
Can't believe he's a jui-jitsu guy, and doesn't have that training available.
There were several moments where he could've tripped robbed backwards, but it never happened or attempted to happen.
He really should NOT be asking for a title shot, because honestly Imavov has his number.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

He does actually leave himself open quite a bit.

But it's not as easy as it looks to capitalize on, due to how lengthy he is, and also the threat of him grabbing a hold of you.

But Bobby Knux nearly knocked his head off in the 3rd.

Dricus with his long ass gorilla arms would likely find his chin and detonate on it.

 

[CrimsonFan]

He's missing Judo/Sambo trips in his arsenal.
Can't believe he's a jui-jitsu guy, and doesn't have that training available.
There were several moments where he could've tripped robbed backwards, but it never happened or attempted to happen.
He really should NOT be asking for a title shot, because honestly Imavov has his number.

To be fair id pick imavov over anyone in the division right now.

But i do agree he needs another win. Winning a fight like that is not how someone should get a title shot. He won but it was ugly.

 

[Portland8242]

Pretty sure Dricus or Imavov would snipe that wide open chin of his.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

RDR got his insides re-arranged by Anatoly in ONE.

Seemed like a gross oversight that it took 4+ rounds for Whittaker to see the opening against a fighter that is begging to get his body roasted.