Danillo Villefort will carry a four-fight winning streak into his Strikeforce debut. | Photo: Dave Mandel
Middleweights
Nate James (12-7-1, 0-0 SF) vs. Danillo Villefort (13-3, 0-0 SF)
Villefort is tough, can take a shot and just seems like a natural fighter. He takes on James, who is probably a better fighter than his record indicates; James trains out of the American Kickboxing Academy, one of the best reservoirs of talent in the sport.
Villefort might have a slight edge in standup, especially with combinations, as he just seems better at putting them together, though he has a tendency to wing them instead of firing them straight down the pipe. If James is to win, he should bank on a hard counter right and push kicks, which would work against Villefort, who tends to charge forward while letting his hands go.
The Pick: Given his judo and jiu-jitsu and James’ tendency to get caught in submissions, expect Villefort to break down his foe over a couple rounds and get the submission for the win in the second.
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