This feels like the perfect fight. There are so many unknowns, so many variables. There are two clear paths to victory for both men, and we don't know who is going to be able to implement their game plan and how it's going to go down, and that's exciting.
I did some brainstorming last night thinking about how I think this fight is going to go and came to the conclusion that many of us have: this is a pick 'em. The oddsmakers have their job cut out for them. There are so many ways this fight could play out.
For me, it is going to be Eddie's pressure vs Conor's counters. I think more often than not, great counter punching beats pressure in boxing, but when you add in the variable of wrestling, the pressure game becomes truly formidable. How Eddie implements the pressure is going to be key.
He has to utilize intelligent pressure and footwork. Footwork, oddly enough, is one of the biggest keys to victory for him. He needs to cut angles, he needs to feint, and he needs to cut off the cage and walk him to the fence. If he does that, he is going to be a huge, huge problem for Conor.
If he takes the Daniel Cormier/Cain Velasquez approach and pushes forward relentlessly, he is going to get tagged and hurt. This, to me, is what made Anderson Silva, a revered counter striker himself, so dangerous on the feet for DC. But Anderson is a little older, and DC's wrestling is on such a level that he was able to walk through the storm and just barrel over him. There is a possibility that Eddie might be able to do that, but it is playing with fire. That left hand is lethal.
Also, if Eddie decides not to be just a wrestle-boxer and implements his kicking game, this could get really interesting. He has a solid right round kick when he wants to use it. Thrown to the head this can shut down Conor's left by keeping it glued to his head for defense. Thrown to the body it can sap Conor's stamina. Thrown to the legs is tricky because of the opposite stances, but if he can make it work Conor's wide stance makes him susceptible to absorb damage. And Conor has shown that when he is implementing his crazy, wild kicking game (which is a big question in itself for this fight) that he can be swept and caught off balance (Siver fight.)
I went ahead and did a breakdown exploring the contrasting styles of each fighter and how they match up. If you are bored and have some time before the event, check it out!
I did some brainstorming last night thinking about how I think this fight is going to go and came to the conclusion that many of us have: this is a pick 'em. The oddsmakers have their job cut out for them. There are so many ways this fight could play out.
For me, it is going to be Eddie's pressure vs Conor's counters. I think more often than not, great counter punching beats pressure in boxing, but when you add in the variable of wrestling, the pressure game becomes truly formidable. How Eddie implements the pressure is going to be key.
He has to utilize intelligent pressure and footwork. Footwork, oddly enough, is one of the biggest keys to victory for him. He needs to cut angles, he needs to feint, and he needs to cut off the cage and walk him to the fence. If he does that, he is going to be a huge, huge problem for Conor.
If he takes the Daniel Cormier/Cain Velasquez approach and pushes forward relentlessly, he is going to get tagged and hurt. This, to me, is what made Anderson Silva, a revered counter striker himself, so dangerous on the feet for DC. But Anderson is a little older, and DC's wrestling is on such a level that he was able to walk through the storm and just barrel over him. There is a possibility that Eddie might be able to do that, but it is playing with fire. That left hand is lethal.
Also, if Eddie decides not to be just a wrestle-boxer and implements his kicking game, this could get really interesting. He has a solid right round kick when he wants to use it. Thrown to the head this can shut down Conor's left by keeping it glued to his head for defense. Thrown to the body it can sap Conor's stamina. Thrown to the legs is tricky because of the opposite stances, but if he can make it work Conor's wide stance makes him susceptible to absorb damage. And Conor has shown that when he is implementing his crazy, wild kicking game (which is a big question in itself for this fight) that he can be swept and caught off balance (Siver fight.)
I went ahead and did a breakdown exploring the contrasting styles of each fighter and how they match up. If you are bored and have some time before the event, check it out!
