Ht/Wt: 5’8/155 lbs.
Age: 29
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Fighting out of: Las Vegas
Record: 18-5-1
The breakdown: A loss to Clay Guida at UFC Fight Night 15 revealed Danzig’s weaknesses against superior wrestlers, but Neer presents a different challenge altogether. Aside from being a ginormous lightweight, Neer’s physical style and stifling clinch work make him difficult to corral in the cage. Danzig will have to rely on his superior movement to keep Neer from closing the pocket and maintain a high volume of strikes in order to ward off Neer’s attempts to start a trench war.
The X-Factor: Neer’s long reach makes him difficult to keep at bay, so Danzig will have to mix it up by moving in and out on him. How Danzig strikes the fine balance between staying conservative and scoring points will decide how he fares in his meeting with “The Dentist.”
Josh “The Dentist” Neer Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’11/155 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Fighting out of: Des Moines, Iowa
Record: 24-7-1
The breakdown: Neer will have to rely heavily on his size advantage to win this fight. Danzig’s combination of slick mat work and underrated striking makes him a difficult opponent with whom to go toe-to-toe, so Neer would do well keeping Danzig in the clinch where his mauling style can be best served. However, if Neer loses control of the bout’s pace, he’ll have to deal with Danzig’s relentless work rate.
The X-Factor: Although Neer has the physical tools to systematically wear down his opponents, he often lacks the initiative to take control of bouts. That’s a flaw he has to overcome, as he must rely on his effectiveness in close quarters to beat Danzig.
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The bottom line: Consider this the likely “Fight of the Night” winner, as the style clash between these two should make for an exciting match. That’s problematic for Neer, since it favors Danzig; he has the better all-around game and the conditioning to maintain a torrid pace. A back-and-forth battle tilts in Danzig’s favor late and leaves him with a decision win.