Preview: UFC 194 ‘Aldo vs. McGregor’

Middleweights

Ronaldo Souza (22-3) vs Yoel Romero (10-1)

THE MATCHUP: In many ways, Souza and Romero are very similar. Both are fairly old for elite fighters: 36 for Souza and 38 for Romero. Both excelled in grappling: Souza has won numerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships, including two Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medals, while Romero medaled in just about every wrestling competition he ever entered, from the World Championships to the Olympics. Despite the grappling accolades, neither man has been shy about knocking out opponents since making the jump to MMA. “Jacare” is a power puncher who hurts opponents before dragging them to the ground, while Romero has knocked out all but two of his 12 opponents.

With two such similar athletes, this fight could very well be a game of inches. It seems that pace and phase control will decide who walks away the winner. Souza is one of the best controlling grapplers in all of MMA, but his grinding wrestling style tends to succeed as a result of his usual size advantage, something he will not enjoy against the Herculean Romero. More than that, Romero is far and away the best wrestler “Jacare” will have ever fought. If this fight goes to the ground, it will likely be Romero that takes it there.

With their muscular frames and all-power-all-the-time approach to MMA, neither Souza nor Romero is known for keeping a quick pace. However, Romero is better at matching the output of his opponent, while Souza tends to keep the same measured, almost hesitant strike output no matter what happens. Romero is also the more explosive and dynamic of the two fighters, with picture-perfect balance, even when he flings himself wildly off-balance, which he does do. Souza is more reserved, which means he is rarely in a particularly vulnerable position, but there is a peculiar stiffness to his every move on the feet.

THE ODDS: Souza (-149), Romero (+129)

THE PICK: With more MMA experience, some of the best submission grappling in the history of MMA and heavy hands, “Jacare” seems like a strong pick, but I think he struggles with Romero. The Cuban wrestler is not only skilled enough to stop Souza’s takedowns but one of the few men who have ever been able to contend with his size and raw strength. Francis Carmont was able to take a round off of Souza by simply avoiding the clinch. Romero is a more dangerous striker than Carmont and a far better wrestler who should not have to avoid the clinch to control distance. He wins by unanimous decision.

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