- Joined
- Dec 11, 2011
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The answer.....nothing.
Striking: DC is a decent striker that uses kicks and punches with good power behind them although he is not a 1 punch KO striker like Hunt or Ngannou. Stipe is a striker that basically uses punching only and very few kicks (I don't remember him using too many high kicks). Stipe is a very technical striker who rarely wastes his punches and doesn't get wild. When it comes to 2 fighters that use striking mainly and are closely matched I've got to give the edge to the fighter that also uses kicks.
Wrestling: I've got to give the wrestling edge to DC. Although Stipe is a solid collegiate wrestler if you've ever trained with Olympic wrestlers vs. high level collegiate wrestlers it's just another level. I saw larger collegiate wrestlers get schooled by a much smaller John Smith who is a legend in wrestling. His Olympic caliber wrestling was just amazing.
If Stipe used freestyle wrestling and shot from far out like Hughes or GSP, then it would be a different game. But he does a lot of single legs and doubles where he drops from the clinch which I give the advantage to DC in. DC threw Barnett around at HW and schooled Hendo.
I think DC will shock some people who think that Stipe is going to out-wrestle him. Taking down a gassed Ngannou is a lot different tan taking down DC.
Ground Game: I'd say both are about even on their ground game. Neither are submission artists and both mainly use GnP when on the ground. I will say I've never seen as weak GnP from DC as I've seen from Stipe. Cormier would have TKO'd Ngannou easily vs. just laying on him and only throwing a punch when the ref threatens a stand up for 5 rounds.
Other Factors: I think both have decent chins but I'd say DC's is just a bit better than Stipe's. Stipe has been finished by Struve and dropped by Overeem (not that that's embarrassing) and DC has only been hurt or dropped by Jones. I'd assume DC would listen to the after fight interview from his last Jone's loss and see what he needs to improve upon.
Gas tank, both have good gas tanks but I'd still give the edge to DC. He seems to have an endlass tank while Stipe gassed in the 1st round against Ngannou.
DC is older and has spoken about how cutting weight is harder. So, he's naturally bigger which means he won't be working as hard to add weight as smaller fighters do.
Either way, this is a great fight and I can't wait to see it.
My prediction:
DC defeats Stipe via TKO or UD.
Striking: DC is a decent striker that uses kicks and punches with good power behind them although he is not a 1 punch KO striker like Hunt or Ngannou. Stipe is a striker that basically uses punching only and very few kicks (I don't remember him using too many high kicks). Stipe is a very technical striker who rarely wastes his punches and doesn't get wild. When it comes to 2 fighters that use striking mainly and are closely matched I've got to give the edge to the fighter that also uses kicks.
Wrestling: I've got to give the wrestling edge to DC. Although Stipe is a solid collegiate wrestler if you've ever trained with Olympic wrestlers vs. high level collegiate wrestlers it's just another level. I saw larger collegiate wrestlers get schooled by a much smaller John Smith who is a legend in wrestling. His Olympic caliber wrestling was just amazing.
If Stipe used freestyle wrestling and shot from far out like Hughes or GSP, then it would be a different game. But he does a lot of single legs and doubles where he drops from the clinch which I give the advantage to DC in. DC threw Barnett around at HW and schooled Hendo.
I think DC will shock some people who think that Stipe is going to out-wrestle him. Taking down a gassed Ngannou is a lot different tan taking down DC.
Ground Game: I'd say both are about even on their ground game. Neither are submission artists and both mainly use GnP when on the ground. I will say I've never seen as weak GnP from DC as I've seen from Stipe. Cormier would have TKO'd Ngannou easily vs. just laying on him and only throwing a punch when the ref threatens a stand up for 5 rounds.
Other Factors: I think both have decent chins but I'd say DC's is just a bit better than Stipe's. Stipe has been finished by Struve and dropped by Overeem (not that that's embarrassing) and DC has only been hurt or dropped by Jones. I'd assume DC would listen to the after fight interview from his last Jone's loss and see what he needs to improve upon.
Gas tank, both have good gas tanks but I'd still give the edge to DC. He seems to have an endlass tank while Stipe gassed in the 1st round against Ngannou.
DC is older and has spoken about how cutting weight is harder. So, he's naturally bigger which means he won't be working as hard to add weight as smaller fighters do.
Either way, this is a great fight and I can't wait to see it.
My prediction:
DC defeats Stipe via TKO or UD.
