Strikeforce Heavyweight bout: Daniel Cormier vs. Jeff Monson
Odds: (-500 Cormier /+300 Monson )
Betting Pick: Cormier
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In the opening bout of the evening, undefeated Heavyweight prospect Daniel Cormier faces his toughest challenge to date in the form of skilled veteran Jeff “The Snowman” Monson. Cormier is an extremely dominant wrestler with heavy hands, but Monson has a huge experience advantage and very effective submissions, so he is going to test Cormier in a way he has never been tested. Cormier depends a lot on his wrestling and his takedowns, but Monson has the ability to make him pay off his back or to take him off his game by testing his takedown defense, so this is a very interesting fight that should go a long way toward determining just how ready Cormier is for top-level competition.
Jeff “The Snowman” Monson, a long-time veteran who has fought in Japan, the UFC, and a host of other shows, has an extremely slick and effective ground game. Unlike most heavyweights, he has submissions from every position and unlike a lot of jiu-jitsu guys he has very effective wrestling to set up his ground game. His standup is rudimentary and not very powerful, but his defense is good and he has a great chin. He mainly uses his striking to try and set up takedowns, but he has enough technique to not get manhandled on the feet.
Daniel Cormier is one of the Heavyweight division’s most exciting up and coming prospects. He has solid boxing with very heavy hands and a world-class amateur wrestling background. He has knockout power both standing and from top position on the ground, and he mixes it up well and fights with an aggressive style. Cormier’s problem is that he has been brought along slowly and has yet to face a real top-level opponent, which means that Monson is a huge step up in competition for him.
This is a tough fight to call. Cormier has heavy hands and better wrestling, but taking Monson down is not going to be as easy as it sounds and even if he can get this fight to the ground he is just playing into Monson’s game. Cormier does have more dangerous striking, but if he gets too intent on letting his hands go Monson might surprise him with some takedowns of his own. Cormier has the tools to win this fight, but he is going to need a very complete performance and to put everything together more than he ever has in his career. I think Cormier should be able to do enough to earn the decision, but Monson is not going to make it easy on him. Cormier by decision.
Prediction: Daniel Cormier via Unanimous Decision.
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