Aleksa Camur vs. Fabio Cherant
Camur is best known for being one of the main training partners for former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, though perhaps his perfect 4-0 professional record is what MMA fans and media members should be discussing. The 23-year-old has not just beat his competition; he has knocked out all four of his opponents in the process. The Strong Style Fight Team member comes right out of the gate like a berserker, throwing every strike with bad intentions. He sits on his punches to generate bone-crushing power. He works his jab on the outside and then bounces his head back and forth off the centerline to unload shots in the pocket. He does not just headhunt but sets up many of his power strikes by blasting his opponent’s body. The undefeated fighter does not throw many kicks and refuses to check any thrown at him. The Ohioan prefers to keep the fight standing but has taken opponents down in the clinch and brutalized them with heavy ground-and-pound. He has been taken down by low-level competition in the past.
A former Army soldier, Cherant is a bit undersized at light heavyweight, but it has not caused him any issues yet. He also is undefeated at 4-0, winning all of his fights by submission. The 24-year-old is a talented but raw striker. He is a southpaw but likes to switch stances. He can be a little too patient with his strikes, often only throwing one at a time. He has a powerful straight left hand and often springs forward with a blitzing attack. The Team Sityodtong representative needs to work on his striking defense. He lacks head movement, backs straight up when being attacked and does not handle pressure well. His bread-and-butter skill is his grappling. While “The Water Buffalo” is not a powerful wrestler, he finds ways to get the fight to the ground. He often gets the fight to the canvas by catching a kick. His submission skills are readily apparent, but he does well at punishing his counterpart with heavy ground-and-pound. His guillotine choke is his specialty move. This is a significant step up in competition for Cherant, as his previous opponents have a combined record of 2-15.
Cherant has been saying in pre-fight interviews that he will not be looking to take the fight to the ground and wants to exchange strikes with Camur. While the New Englander has the power to find the knockout, his best chance is to get the fight to the ground. Expect him to struggle to get the fight to the canvas and eventually eat a powerful blow in the opening round, becoming Camur’s latest knockout victim and serving as a steppingstone to his arrival in the UFC.