Alton Cunningham vs. Tony Johnson
Cunningham returns to the DWCS cage after a disappointing performance during in 2018. The Wisconsin native was streamrolled by Bevon Lewis during Season 2, losing by first-round TKO. Since the loss, the Pura Vida BJJ export has gone 2-0 and moved from middleweight to light heavyweight. The 25-year-old is a long and lengthy striker who patiently waits for an opening to punish his opponent. The 7-1 standout likes to lull his counterparts into a slow-paced fight until he springs forward at them with a flurry of shots. The DWCS alum uses his long legs to crush his opponents with hard kicks to the body, often sending them crashing to the canvas. However, his best weapon might be his knees. He likes to time knees from a distance or batter the body with them in the clinch. The bane of Cunningham’s existence is high-level wrestling. Unless he has greatly improved his takedown defense, the Wisconsin native will continue to struggle against accomplished wrestlers.
Johnson enters the Octagon on a three-fight winning streak. The Bellator MMA veteran turned professional in 2007 but has only compiled a 7-2 professional mark since. The 36-year-old was absent from competition between 2008 and 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017. Since returning, he has only managed to fight once a year. Johnson trains out of the illustrious American Kickboxing Academy camp in San Jose, California. The Strikeforce veteran is known for his bone-crushing power. His right hand is a lethal weapon, but he tends to look to land it too much -- a tendency that makes him predictable. He likes to punish the body with punches and knees and throws hard leg kicks. The former middleweight turned light heavyweight makes the mistake of avoiding strikes by simply pulling his head back and refuses to check leg kicks. He has been hurt by some low-level strikers in the past. Johnson is not much of a wrestler but does a good job at keeping his opponent on his back if he ends up on top, all while he unleashes some devastating ground-and-pound.
Johnson has significant power in his hands, but it is difficult to trust a fighter who is 36 years old and has only fought four times since 2008. Cunningham is 11 years younger and appears to be the hungrier fighter. Moreover, he is likely improving while Johnson could be on his way down. Cunningham delivers a knockout in the second round once Johnson begins to tire and gets rewarded with a UFC contract.
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