WEC 39 Breakdown: The Undercard

Kenji Osawa vs. Rafael Rebello

Power Ratings

Osawa
Striking : 2.5
Grappling : 3.0
Submissions : 2.0
Experience : 3.5
Total : 2.8

Rebello
Striking : 2.0
Grappling : 3.0
Submissions : 4.0
Experience : 2.5
Total : 2.9

Analysis: Wajyutsu Keisyukai A3 bantamweight Osawa will take on American Top Team’s Rebello in a battle between Japan and Brazil. Osawa (14-8-2) has done quite well against fighters from the Sugarloaf Mountain in the past, as he submitted Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira pupil Augusto Frota and went the distance with Daniel Lima and Marcos Galvao. Most recently, he drew with Rebello’s teammate, Chris Manuel, a little more than a year ago.

The 28-year-old Rebello (5-2) has 15 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training behind him and is considered one of the top BJJ players in the 135-pound division. His training at ATT with world-ranked fighters and champions like Gesias Cavalcante, Mike Thomas Brown and Marcus Aurelio only helps his cause. Rebello has earned his spurs in smaller East Coast shows and most recently competed in two Pacific X-treme Combat events on the island of Guam.

* * *

Prediction: Manuel came close to beating the battle-tested Osawa during their clash last March, likely exposing chinks in the Japanese bantamweight’s armor in the process. The masterminds at ATT will put together the right gameplan for Rebello to finish the job. Go with the Brazilian to win a close decision.