Styles Make Flops: Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko and Strategic Matchmaking

[shonuf]

Styles Make Flops: Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko and Strategic Matchmaking

By Connor Ruebusch

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/7/2...mma-technique-matchmaking-boring-fight-rousey

click the link for full analysis and longer story............Instead, Shelby seems to have looked at Holly Holm, identified her as simply a striker, and matched her with another fighter of similar tendencies. On the surface, this might seem a recipe for an action fight, but the long history of matchmaking in boxing suggests otherwise.

Most likely, we can expect a low-intensity sparring match. Holm is never keen to engage, and Shevchenko is never eager to lead. Holm will feint and throw out feelers, and Shevchenko will wait on an opportunity to counter.

The importance of this fight is unquestionable. Holm and Shevchenko are two of the best in the division, and the UFC could easily give either woman a title shot with a win. Whether they will want to is entirely up to the fight itself. Whatever he was thinking when he made this match, Sean Shelby may find himself sorely uninspired when the final bell rings.

 

[Donny White]

Oh, it'll be flopping after this "fight". That's a guarantee.

 

[Peteyandjia]

It's interesting that Shevchenko started her career choking everyone before she discovered striking, and then let that part take over her style.

If this fight goes to the ground at all, she may end up going back to her roots, because Holly looked like a whitebelt every time Miesha got her down, absolutely terrible defense on the ground.

 

[JohnyBrabo]

I said it from the moment the fight was announced. Nothing like a methodical battle between counter strikers over 5 rounds and 25 minutes.

 

[[insert_name_here]]

Oh, it'll be flopping after this "fight". That's a guarantee.

Dude, that is so f$%ked up...

 

[chunglii]

It's interesting that Shevchenko started her career choking everyone before she discovered striking, and then let that part take over her style.

If this fight goes to the ground at all, she may end up going back to her roots, because Holly looked like a whitebelt every time Miesha got her down, absolutely terrible defense on the ground.

because she IS a white belt lol

I'm curious to see if Valentina get can Holly on the ground. She likes to use a lotta trips, throws, and dumps but Holly is stronk in the clinch.

 

[HHJ]

fightpass holly butt cam

 

[TrainInVain]

Or every top 10 BW fighter was booked at the time Shelby made this matchup and these two where the only ones left.

 

[galleryy]

Jon fitch vs jake shields. #blanket.lives.matter

 

[OnePunchCrunch]

It's interesting that Shevchenko started her career choking everyone before she discovered striking, and then let that part take over her style.

If this fight goes to the ground at all, she may end up going back to her roots, because Holly looked like a whitebelt every time Miesha got her down, absolutely terrible defense on the ground.

I would not only be happy to see her get the choke, but impressed on her ability to be able to put the striking test aside and go back to that. Let's hope for a great fight. I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

Results: Great fight, and As I said, she tried several times to take the ground game side of the fight but sadly didn't get the choke I had eagerly hoped to see. The striking was on point. Shevchenko is no slouch. My FotN.

 

[Gluhov]

meanwhile melendez/barboza will likely be fireworks. melendez knows barbozas weakness is pressure fighters so hes going to be in his grill for 15 minutes

 

[OnePunchCrunch]

Or every top 10 BW fighter was booked at the time Shelby made this matchup and these two where the only ones left.

This is essentially why it happened. The best thing to happen to the division was the recent hot potato-ing of the belt. It brings attention back to certain fights that may have already happened and were otherwise dead in the water. The competition is on to get to the top now. It's wide open.

 

[shonuf]

Or every top 10 BW fighter was booked at the time Shelby made this matchup and these two where the only ones left.

Not arguing, but this was also due to their matchmaking. But i can't hate on Shelby. I think he's the best. I think he had his hands tied a bit due to Ronda. They thought she'd be back for NY.

 

[Peteyandjia]

I would not only be happy to see her get the choke, but impressed on her ability to be able to put the striking test aside and go back to that. Let's hope for a great fight. I'm sure we won't be disappointed.

Results: (Reserved to say If I ate my words or not)

I'm expecting Holly to use her range and score a fairly uneventful decision.

Hopefully I'm wrong and something awesome happens, either way.

 

[dethmanrulz]

This will be as exciting as Rory vs Wonderboy was.

 

[TrainInVain]

This is essentially why it happened. The best thing to happen to the division was the recent hot potato-ing of the belt. It brings attention back to certain fights that may have already happened and were otherwise dead in the water. The competition is on to get to the top now. It's wide open.

Ya I like the shake up thats happened at 135.

I'm looking forward to this fight. I'm hoping that with no threat of a takedown Valentina really opens up her striking.

 

[Ancient Warrior]

I don't know how much action there'll be, but this is a very rare time I'm interested in a wmma match based on both fighters striking talent.

 

[OnePunchCrunch]

Ya I like the shake up thats happened at 135.

I'm looking forward to this fight. I'm hoping that with no threat of a takedown Valentina really opens up her striking.

My dream in every fight is it just becomes a Muay Thai death match.

 

[kflo]

because she IS a white belt lol

I'm curious to see if Valentina get can Holly on the ground. She likes to use a lotta trips, throws, and dumps but Holly is stronk in the clinch.

Stronk af

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

All I know is holly holm gets worse looking every time I see her on TV.