With UFC 211 just over a week away, the promotion has made the first fight between headliners Junior dos Santos and Stipe Miocic available. dos Santos vs. Miocic 1 took place way back in December 2014, and saw the Brazilian former champ edge a decision win against Miocic. It was the Ohio native Miocic (16–2), […]
With UFC 211 just over a week away, the promotion has made the first fight between headliners Junior dos Santos and Stipe Miocic available. dos Santos vs. Miocic 1 took place way back in December 2014, and saw the Brazilian former champ edge a decision win against Miocic. It was the Ohio native Miocic (16–2), […]
Jessica Andrade doesn’t appear to be concerned about the punching power of Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Andrade is set to compete in the biggest fight of her professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career. She will challenge Jedrzejczyk for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight title. This will be “Bate Estaca’s” first UFC title bout. The two will […]
Jessica Andrade doesn’t appear to be concerned about the punching power of Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Andrade is set to compete in the biggest fight of her professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career. She will challenge Jedrzejczyk for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight title. This will be “Bate Estaca’s” first UFC title bout. The two will […]
Frankie Edgar is out for Yair Rodriguez’s blood at UFC 211. “The Answer” and “El Pantera” will do battle inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on May 13. Edgar will be looking to win his second straight bout, while Rodriguez is going for his ninth straight victory. Speaking with UFC.com, Edgar said he’s […]
Frankie Edgar is out for Yair Rodriguez’s blood at UFC 211. “The Answer” and “El Pantera” will do battle inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on May 13. Edgar will be looking to win his second straight bout, while Rodriguez is going for his ninth straight victory. Speaking with UFC.com, Edgar said he’s […]
The main card of UFC 211 features two top level flyweights, each of whom could be considered for a title challenge with a few more good wins. While Henry Cejudo may have already had his crack at glory, Sergio Pettis is looking to throw his card into the Demetrious Johnson sweepstakes (a prize that I’m not sure anyone truly wants to win at this point). This fight has a lot riding on it for both fighters and it’s good to see it opening up the main card for one of the more stacked events of the year (good job UFC, keep this up and people may end up caring about flyweight).
The main card of UFC 211 features two top level flyweights, each of whom could be considered for a title challenge with a few more good wins. While Henry Cejudo may have already had his crack at glory, Sergio Pettis is looking to throw his card into the Demetrious Johnson sweepstakes (a prize that I’m not sure anyone truly wants to win at this point). This fight has a lot riding on it for both fighters and it’s good to see it opening up the main card for one of the more stacked events of the year (good job UFC, keep this up and people may end up caring about flyweight).
Henry Cejudo has the tools to give anyone at 125 lbs tons of issues. His mix of gritty, powerful and technical wrestling has matched well with his kickboxing style. Cejudo showed in his bout with Joseph Benavidez that he has the ability to go three hard rounds against a tactical and fast paced opponent. His kicking game was also very impressive. The biggest flaw in that fight however was how much power he threw into every shot. If he learns to fight at a more measured pace, picking his shots, flashing the jab to control distance, and level changes when Pettis over commits, we could see Cejudo put on a dominant performance.
The plan of attack for Cejudo should be fairly straight forward. Takedowns will play a major role, as will controlling the clinch and landing heavy punches on the break. Cejudo is likely to have a strength advantage here and he needs to let Pettis understand that as soon as the first bell rings. Cejudo fell in love with his power a bit in his bout with Joseph Benavidez and he’ll want to avoid that here. Basic boxing combinations like the double jab cross will be effective in this fight. He’ll need to stay in Pettis’ face and stay busy the whole time in order prevent the younger man from trying to control the distance. Pettis wants distance which means Cejudo needs to make him feel claustrophobic and fight in a phone booth. Ending combinations with either a left hook or right round kick will do Cejudo a ton of good.
Sergio Pettis may not have the flash and flare of his older brother, but he does indeed have a more complete game. The younger Pettis looks to mix up his attack with sharp striking coupled with some nicely timed level changes. Rather than just focus purely on knocking opponents out, Pettis likes to employ a game that keeps his opposition guessing. He’s as likely to fire off a blistering head kick as he is to shoot for a takedown.
The goal for Pettis here is to frustrate Cejudo and get his distance with kicks immediately before the Olympic wrestler can get comfortable. While kicking against a wrestler can be ill advised, if you get the distance just right it can keep the shorter Cejudo on the outside. The benefit of Sergio Pettis being from a traditional martial arts background means that he has the ability to throw strikes from both stances. It will allow him to confuse Cejudo and, once his opponent is bewildered, land a devastating rear round kick or cross from the southpaw stance.
Most important for Pettis is to ensure his feet keep moving. The younger Pettis has a tendency to stand still at times which can get him into all kinds of trouble with a power puncher and wrestler of Cejudo’s caliber.
Which flyweight will take one step closer to punching their ticket for the Demetrious Johnson horror show?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
Dallas TX heavyweight Rashad “Daywalker” Coulter will make his UFC debut as the hometown favorite at UFC 211 later this month. That’s according to a report by the Dallas Morning News‘ Mark Francescutti, who notes that Coulter (8-1) will replace the injured Dmitry Poberezhets on the card. Opposite Coulter, who is on a five fight […]
Dallas TX heavyweight Rashad “Daywalker” Coulter will make his UFC debut as the hometown favorite at UFC 211 later this month. That’s according to a report by the Dallas Morning News‘ Mark Francescutti, who notes that Coulter (8-1) will replace the injured Dmitry Poberezhets on the card. Opposite Coulter, who is on a five fight […]
Former UFC lightweight champion and former multi-time featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar is gearing up to take on red hot rising contender Yair Rodriguez at UFC 211 on May 13, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. Many have suspected that the UFC booked the fight to five the young Rodriguez a chance to pick up a win
Former UFC lightweight champion and former multi-time featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar is gearing up to take on red hot rising contender Yair Rodriguez at UFC 211 on May 13, 2017 in Dallas, Texas.
Many have suspected that the UFC booked the fight to five the young Rodriguez a chance to pick up a win over a big name veteran and while that may be the case, Edgar recently said that he’s coming for ‘blood’:
“I kinda keep it moving,” Edgar told UFC.com. “I don’t really look too much into things. I’ve got a job to do and that’s all I focus on.”
“I’d be stupid not to suspect that, at least,” Edgar said. “It’s kind of win-win for them. This guy beats me, he catapults up the rankings, but if I beat him, there’s no loss for him because he really wasn’t supposed to win. So I feel like it’s a good way to get his name out there, but I’m looking at it in a different way. I’m like a vampire – I’m gonna go get some of that young blood and steal some of his fans.”
The UFC featherweight title will be on the line shortly after UFC 211, as champion Jose Aldo will take on interim titleholder Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 212 on June 3, 2017 in Brazil. “The Answer” admits he’s not one to choose sides, but he’s also well aware that Holloway would likely need to win for him to receive a title shot given that he’s already lost to Aldo twice:
“I think I’m always going to be knocking on the door for a title based on what I’ve done and who I am,” Edgar said. “But yeah, I think Holloway would have to win for me to get that next title shot. I’m not one to root for it, though. Things will play out the way they do and if they don’t, so be it. Ever since I lost that title in 2012, I’ve been gunning for it, and you lose sight of what’s in front of you at times. So right now, I just want to worry about what’s next, keep fighting and stay busy.”
Do you expect Edgar to get by Rodriguez and remain at the top of the division?
