Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 3

Chris Ocon vs Hunter Azure

Ocon has not tasted defeated as a professional or as an amateur fighter. He is a perfect 4-0 as a professional after rattling off nine victories as an amateur.

The Attitude MMA bantamweight champion is a savvy striker who uses good footwork to stalk his prey, while constantly cutting off the cage while his opponent tries to circle away from him. The 23-year-old is accurate with his strikes and likes to work the body with power punches and kicks. His slip-and-rip overhand right is his most deadly strike. The Nashville MMA team member tends to keep his chin in the air, which has caused him to be wobbled by strikes in the past. He works at a very slow pace, which might cause him to lose rounds in the future.

Though the Tennessee native comes from a wrestling background, he hasn’t displayed much in that department. He was taken down and struggled to get back to his feet against Reginald Adams in his last fight. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt has won one fight in his brief professional career by way of submission. The young fighter is taking a large step up in competition as he has fed on low-level fodder so far in his career.

Azure, who represents the Assiniboine and Sioux Native American tribes, is also undefeated in his professional career. The 6-0 standout is a classic wrestle-boxer. He isn’t a very technical striker but makes up for it with big power. His hooks and uppercuts hurt his opponent and kicks to the legs and body do as well. The Arizona native wings wild haymakers, hoping each shot ends the fight. He often telegraphs his strikes by loading up on each shot. He has been dropped in the past by strikes because he likes to simply walk into the pocket without head movement.

The MMA Lab product is a four-time Montana high school state champion and former NCAA wrestler. He tends to drive through his opponents’ sprawls to get the legs and shows great strength by easily tossing them to the canvas. Once the fight hits the canvas, the LFA veteran unloads ferocious ground and pound.

Ocon is the more polished fighter at this point in the two fighters’ careers, but Azure appears to have the higher upside. I expect the latter to come charging out of the gate throwing hard shots and looking for takedowns. Azure either lands a big shot ending the fight or takes Ocon out with strikes on the ground. Either way Azure gets a TKO in the second round and is rewarded with a contract in the UFC.

Next Fight » Trocoli vs. Bergh