Middleweights
Impa Kasanganay (8-0) vs. Joaquin Buckley (10-3)There are quite a few Dana White’s Contender Series signings that are more tantalizing for what they could be rather than what they are right now, and Kasanganay might head that list. Kasanganay is a tank of an athlete, but rather than being your typical brutish powerhouse who gets by on those physical talents, he is a shockingly poised and well-rounded fighter who can read his opponents and take advantage of what they give him. That is impressive enough for most prospects, but given that Kasanganay is less than two years removed from his professional debut, the sky is seemingly the limit as soon as everything clicks into place. Kasanganay still has a fairly meat-and-potatoes skill set for the time being, which, when combined with his patient approach, has meant a surprising lack of finishing ability for someone with his physical tools. Thankfully for all involved, the UFC and Kasanganay both seem willing to get him as many fights as possible so he can develop. Kasanganay draws his second UFC assignment in as many months against Buckley, who made his late-notice Octagon debut opposite Kevin Holland in August. Buckley is another physical force who is on much more of a typical learning curve, as he has a lot of tools but remains in search of a coherent game plan. There is a lot to like about Buckley. He throws with a ton of power and can bull around opponents in wrestling exchanges, and he seems to have some natural countering ability when it comes to his striking. However, against a reedy and flowy opponent like Holland, Buckley mostly found himself swinging wildly at air while getting picked apart by a longer fighter. He will still be an interesting test for Kasanganay. Buckley can match Kasanganay in terms of strength and physicality and figures to be the much more active fighter. While most fighters who throw heat with every punch tend to gas themselves out, Buckley has shown a surprising ability to keep up his approach for 15 minutes. This serves as a bet that things will even themselves out from each man’s respective UFC debut, as Holland was simply a level above Buckley and Maki Pitolo presented a defensive blank slate for Kasanganay to work with in August. The pick is for Kasanganay’s passivity to cause him his first prospect loss and for Buckley to take the decision.
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