The co-main event to UFC Fight Night 52 features No. 9-ranked lightweight contender Myles Jury against MMA veteran Takanori Gomi.
Jury has been making waves in the division, and Gomi is seeking one last run up the lightweight ladder. The former PRIDE champion is a significant underdog in this matchup. Jury is the young prospect who may be tapped as the future of the division with a convincing win.
This is a big matchup in the division and appears one-sided on paper. What are the keys to victory for both men? Let’s take a look.
Takanori Gomi
Pace Himself
Gomi has a history of gassing out in fights, and that simply cannot be the case on Saturday. He will have his hands full with a young fighter who has proven to keep a high pace throughout the entire 15 minutes. Gomi needs to be able to land the power punches deep into the fight.
Mix It Up
It will be difficult to take Jury down, but Gomi must at least threaten with takedowns to open up his striking. Jury has excellent striking defense. Gomi has to find holes in his stand-up to exploit, and the easiest way to do that is to mix up his game.
Make It a Brawl
Jury is too technical for Gomi. Point blank.
Gomi has to make this a brawl. He has to find a way to make Jury get into a sloppy brawl, and that is an area where Gomi can succeed. In the wild exchanges, Gomi will have a greater possibility to land his haymakers that will floor Jury.
Myles Jury
Patience
Jury simply has to remain patient in this matchup. Gomi will be aggressive and seeking a big shot. Jury cannot get caught up in the excitement. Jury can easily take this fight simply by picking his shots.
Tempo
As already established, Gomi tires in fights historically. A high tempo will be to Jury’s advantage.
Jury doesn’t need to get wild and aggressive to sustain a high tempo. He simply needs to make Gomi work. Jury’s movement will be key to accomplishing this. Gomi will have to attempt to cut off the cage, but if Jury makes him chase him, it will wear on Gomi quickly.
This is Jury’s fight to lose. If he remains true to what brought him to this point, he will coast to an easy victory. He will only lose if he makes a crucial error that allows Gomi to paste him with a massive punch across his chin.
Jury has far more outs in this fight.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com