UFC Heavyweight bout: Patrick Barry vs. Cheick Kongo
Odds: (-225 Kongo /+185 Barry )
Betting Pick: Kongo
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In a Heavyweight bout that is sure to deliver some fireworks, slugger Pat Barry will square off against French kickboxer Cheick Kongo. Both of these guys have some destructive punching power and a willingness to trade shots, but Barry is the more punishing of the two while Kongo has a much more complete game. If Kongo lets Barry draw him into a brawl, he could be making a huge mistake here, as he is going to need his superior technique to come out ahead.
Patrick Barry is an extremely dangerous brawler with a ton of power in his hands and some of the most punishing leg kicks in the sport. His technique is pretty good, but he is dangerous because he has so much power that he can put his opponents to sleep with punches or chop their base out from under them with hugely powerful leg kicks. His offense is pretty one-dimensional and he has absolutely no defense on the ground, but he is capable of knocking out anyone who he hits with a solid power punch.
Cheick Kongo is a very technical kickboxer who also has solid punching power. While he lacks some of Barry’s row knockout potential, he has faster hands and better technique. He is capable of being knocked out, though, and if he eats a power shot from Barry he is going to find himself in a world of trouble. The big advantage Kongo brings into this fight is that his wrestling is actually very underrated and he has a very effective top control game with destructive ground and pound.
I think this fight favors Kongo. On the feet, I would probably give a slight edge to Barry, but Kongo’s superior technique and ability to utilize his jab should help keep Barry at bay. If Kongo is smart, though, this fight won’t stay standing very long, and he will use his vastly superior wrestling to take Barry down and drop punches on him from top position. Barry is tough and Kongo has no real submission game, so this one should go the distance, but I expect Kongo to ground and pound his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Cheick Kongo via Unanimous Decision.
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