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Stipe Miocic v. Daniel Cormier
Everyone knows DC's wrestling credentials. Those who watched his previous fights at HW also know that he's a different animal when he is not cutting weight. DC's biggest advantage is that he is adept at taking the fight to the ground from the clinch, and he's superb at maintaining control in the clinch. He will not have to rely on a double-leg from distance against the tall and mobile Miocic, which would be a recipe for disaster. He will, however, have to close range and find a way to pin Stipe against the cage, where the shorter Cormier can use his low center of gravity and hip strength to grind, toss, drag, or single-leg the champ to the mat. If Cormier can make this fight a wrestling match early in the fight, his cardio should hold up, and he will have a distinct advantage in the championship rounds. DC's path to victory is clear.
Stipe Miocic is not a puzzle. There is no mystery about his game, and that makes him simultaneously impressive and boring, from a marketing standpoint. He will attempt to keep range and land that piston of a right cross down the center against the pursuing challenger. While his cardio is above-average, he will not want this to be a battle of the gas tanks. Expect to see Miocic the matador early on, using lateral movement to keep his back off of the cage and land punches to the head of his opponent. If DC pressures recklessly, you can expect Stipe to get off of the center line and land flush, as he is tremendously apt to do. You may also see Stipe shoot for a takedown of his own if Cormier gets too aggressive, particularly late in the round.
Prediction: Stipe's unheralded weapon tonight? His movement. Other writers have asserted that Cormier will be the quicker fighter, but Stipe will show his athleticism in avoiding takedowns. He will find a home for his hands, racking up damage on Cormier, who will fade as the fight remains a striking match. Stipe by TKO (R4).
Derrick Lewis v. Francis Ngannou
Derrick Lewis is a big, strong heavyweight. Ngannou is a big, strong heavyweight. Both men hit hard. Lewis has more experience, not only by virtue of having more fights, but by having gone deep into fights with experienced heavyweights. Lewis has seen round three or later against six experienced heavyweights (Shawn Jordan, Pesta, Big Country, Abdurakhimov, Hunt, and Tybura). On the other hand, Ngannou has only made it to the third round once, in his five-round loss to Miocic.
Unfortunately for Lewis, he lost or struggled in several of those fights. This is a man who took a split decision from Roy Nelson, who has lost to Shawn Jordan twice, and who was stopped by a 43 year-old Mark Hunt.
Black Beast is an entertaining and likable person, but it's time we realize who he is as a fighter: a well-rounded, plodding grinder with heavyweight power. If he can hold on to Ngannou for 7-8 minutes, he might be able to wear him down enough to get a win. Lewis, whose cardio is average, might nonetheless have the advantage there. Unfortunately for him, this is a three-round fight.
Prediction: When Lewis took the win from Nelson, he also took over Big Country's "entertaining gatekeeper" status. Ngannou will re-establish himself among the division's elite. Ngannou by (T)KO in the first two rounds.
Other predictions: Saki makes it look easy against Khalil, Chiesa grinds out Pettis, Costa bullies Hall, Hooker keeps climbing the ladder, and Felder v. Perry is a true toss-up, with Felder fighting smarter for the decision win.
Should be a good one!
Everyone knows DC's wrestling credentials. Those who watched his previous fights at HW also know that he's a different animal when he is not cutting weight. DC's biggest advantage is that he is adept at taking the fight to the ground from the clinch, and he's superb at maintaining control in the clinch. He will not have to rely on a double-leg from distance against the tall and mobile Miocic, which would be a recipe for disaster. He will, however, have to close range and find a way to pin Stipe against the cage, where the shorter Cormier can use his low center of gravity and hip strength to grind, toss, drag, or single-leg the champ to the mat. If Cormier can make this fight a wrestling match early in the fight, his cardio should hold up, and he will have a distinct advantage in the championship rounds. DC's path to victory is clear.
Stipe Miocic is not a puzzle. There is no mystery about his game, and that makes him simultaneously impressive and boring, from a marketing standpoint. He will attempt to keep range and land that piston of a right cross down the center against the pursuing challenger. While his cardio is above-average, he will not want this to be a battle of the gas tanks. Expect to see Miocic the matador early on, using lateral movement to keep his back off of the cage and land punches to the head of his opponent. If DC pressures recklessly, you can expect Stipe to get off of the center line and land flush, as he is tremendously apt to do. You may also see Stipe shoot for a takedown of his own if Cormier gets too aggressive, particularly late in the round.
Prediction: Stipe's unheralded weapon tonight? His movement. Other writers have asserted that Cormier will be the quicker fighter, but Stipe will show his athleticism in avoiding takedowns. He will find a home for his hands, racking up damage on Cormier, who will fade as the fight remains a striking match. Stipe by TKO (R4).
Derrick Lewis v. Francis Ngannou
Derrick Lewis is a big, strong heavyweight. Ngannou is a big, strong heavyweight. Both men hit hard. Lewis has more experience, not only by virtue of having more fights, but by having gone deep into fights with experienced heavyweights. Lewis has seen round three or later against six experienced heavyweights (Shawn Jordan, Pesta, Big Country, Abdurakhimov, Hunt, and Tybura). On the other hand, Ngannou has only made it to the third round once, in his five-round loss to Miocic.
Unfortunately for Lewis, he lost or struggled in several of those fights. This is a man who took a split decision from Roy Nelson, who has lost to Shawn Jordan twice, and who was stopped by a 43 year-old Mark Hunt.
Black Beast is an entertaining and likable person, but it's time we realize who he is as a fighter: a well-rounded, plodding grinder with heavyweight power. If he can hold on to Ngannou for 7-8 minutes, he might be able to wear him down enough to get a win. Lewis, whose cardio is average, might nonetheless have the advantage there. Unfortunately for him, this is a three-round fight.
Prediction: When Lewis took the win from Nelson, he also took over Big Country's "entertaining gatekeeper" status. Ngannou will re-establish himself among the division's elite. Ngannou by (T)KO in the first two rounds.
Other predictions: Saki makes it look easy against Khalil, Chiesa grinds out Pettis, Costa bullies Hall, Hooker keeps climbing the ladder, and Felder v. Perry is a true toss-up, with Felder fighting smarter for the decision win.
Should be a good one!
