UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

^^ is there any footage of KZ prior to Garcia? Does he have any takedown defense. That looks like an east win for Yahya, unless KZ has some TD defense.

[Havis Jr]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

I just watched KZ career pack. Posted a few in the vid section. His TDD isn't very good, he is always on the bottom. Part of it is his style, plodding forward throwing wild hooks and flying knees. He says he plans on making serious changes to his style, http://www.watchkalibrun.com/2010/11/6/ ... ean-zombie.

I doubt that makes up for his lack of TDD. KZ does have power so if he keeps it standing he should win, also yahya does have 2 tko loses. Not sure about Yahya's takedowns Im going to watch some more of his fights.

[Ludo]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

I doubt we'll see a different fighter when he fights next. His style is all instinct, not the kind of thing you can just teach against the grain in a couple months(or in this case less than that).

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

Definitely going to be on Yahya here. KZ is going to get subbed early and often. If you don't know Yahya is, he is a really shitty striker, with sort of crappy takedowns... but his ground game is off the charts, easily the best bjj grappler in that weight class.

[SPX]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

Definitely going to be on Yahya here. KZ is going to get subbed early and often. If you don't know Yahya is, he is a really shitty striker, with sort of crappy takedowns... but his ground game is off the charts, easily the best bjj grappler in that weight class.

Benavidez just TKOd Yahya and Mizugaki won a clear decision. I would NOT bet on him. And on top of that, I hope you're wrong.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

^ true, but Benevidez and Mizugaki are leaps and bounds above KZ IMO. KZ just lost to George Roop, I don't really see how he can beat Yahya unless Rani just stand in front of him like an idiot.

Yahya never got the fight to the floor with Benevidez:
http://prommanow.com/index.php/2009/12/ ... ommentary/

The Mizugaki fight was close, Yahya could have been given the decision, and he had Mizugaki in several bad spots on the mat. Also Mizugaki has never been subbed.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/18864/wec-48- ... esults.mma

[SPX]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

Did you actually watch the fight with Yahya or just read the PBP? Maybe I need to watch it again, but I remember Miz being the clear winner. And to be fair, KZ has never been subbed either, though undoubtedly the level of comp that he's faced is nothing compared to what Miz has faced.

As for the Roop fight, Roop brings some very unusual advantages into his fights at 145. At his height and reach, he posed a kind of threat to KZ that Yahya most definitely will not. (I actually see Roop competing at 145 much like Tibau at 155 or Frausto at 115 . . . borderlined cheating.) Jung is not completely without any sort of ground skills and I think his sub-defense is a question mark. It may actually be bulletproof. We just don't know.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

^^ all true. It depends on the odds of course... But if Yahya can get it down, and it looks like he can, I am going to guess he can at least control the fight to win a decision. If I can get a question mark against a world champion grappler, I am going with the known quantity. Yahya tends to go for the sub no matter what, giving up his top position a lot, which has cost him a few times. Still, unless KZ can keep it standing, I don't see why he would win.

But, this is all predicated on Yahya not being a big favorite. I was hoping he would come in at around -170.

[SPX]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

^^^ I would not take Yahya at -170. That seems way too high for a guy who just lost his last two fights.

Also, it's worth mentioning that 6 of KZ's 10 wins have come via sub. So we know he'll have a clear advantage on the feet and may be more competitive on the ground than we'd expect.

[MMA_scientist]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

^^ we just see it differently. KZ is coming off of 2 losses too, and to lesser opponents. I see a guy with an advantage on the ground and the means to get the fight into his area of advantage. KZ wins this fight by stopping the takedown or getting up a lot... I happen to think he can't do those things. KZ came over to America and promptly lost his first 2 fights against middling competition. If it weren't for his catchy nickname and Dana's love for sloppy brawling, no one would remember him and he would have already been sent home.

That said, that IS a badass nickname

[SPX]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

First off, stop pretending he lost the Garcia fight. We, and the rest of the world, know that that was a clear should've-been-UD for the Zombie.

And the Roop fight, I think that Roop was just too long and rangy for KZ get in on him and do what he needed to do.

With that said, I have no idea who will win this one. I wouldn't be surprised to see Yahya take it. But I that lack of assuredness--on either side--would for damn sure keep me from betting either guy at -170.

[zY|]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

KZ by sub.

[SPX]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

Speaking of Roop, apparently Roop v Hominick is likely for this card.

[sbjj]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

I actually think that Yahya will win this one easy. I am hoping for a good line because of the zombies popularity. IMO, the guy is just plain overrated...or at least was before the Roop fight.

[Havis Jr]

Re: UFN 23/Fight for the Troops

If Yahya can get the fight to the ground, and I think he should, he wins easy. But yahya's chin is pretty suspect, benevidez rocked him and that was about 10 seconds after torres was commentating on yahya's biggest weakness, his chin. Also a lot of KZ's subs finishes really could have been tko/ko as they came after he damaged his opponent with strikes. No bet for me.