Two former top contenders in the UFC's heavyweight division face off for the second time at UFC Fight Night 64 in Krakow, Poland when Gabriel Gonzaga takes on Mirko Cro Cop.
Aging mixed martial arts (MMA) veterans Gabriel Gonzaga and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic will take the center of the Octagon today (Apr. 11, 2015) inside the Krakow Arena when the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its first stop in Poland for UFC Fight Night 64.
The duo of Gonzaga and Filipovic most famously fought in April 2007 at UFC 70, with the former laying out the one-time K-1 kickboxer with an astonishing head-kick. Since then, both have muddled through the heavyweight ranks, fighting in and outside of the UFC.
Filipovic returns to the promotion following a three-year absence, while the Brazilian Gonzaga has looked rather unimpressive of late, dropping his last two outings.
With both fighters significantly older (heck, it has been eight long years), who has the advantage is up for debate. But that's what we're here for, right? It's time to put the keys in the ignition and take a look at what each fighter has to do in order to nab a 'W'.
Get back to the old Cro Cop
Oh, does father time have a funny way of introducing himself. The 40-year-old seemingly lost his mojo once he began fighting in the states back in November 2005.
Filipovic used to be an electric fighter; meaning he moved forward and launched beautiful combinations. His performances in the Octagon have been flat and lethargic, which is something that lead to his dismissal from the UFC.
It is time to turn back the clock. His opponent, "Napao", was last seen being ravaged by Matt Mitrione in December. Gonzaga has slowed considerably -- not that he was ever that quick -- and now is the time for Filipovic to take advantage of that.
Potent strikers give Gonzaga problems. The 35-year-old has also been finished three other times in the first round during his UFC tenure.
Defend the takedown
Gonzaga is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt that likes to stand and bang. But, he may elect to try something new in this rematch.
Filipovic's takedown defense has been reliable under the Zuffa banner, but it was also what let him down in his last couple of fights before his initial release. He'll want to make shoring that up a priority come fight day, especially if the Team Link representative threatens with a takedown early in the fight.
A takedown will also make Filipovic think twice before throwing a potential fight-ending head-kick.
The clinch is your friend, and your enemy. Use at your discretion.
Filipovic's last two fights in the UFC were against Brendan Schaub and Roy Nelson. He is a small heavyweight, but had a moderate amount of success in the clinch against both men.
With no formal background in wrestling or muay-thai, his experiences in the clinch have also varied. Knees from the clinch are what sent him packing against Frank Mir.
If he ends up against the fence when he faces Gonzaga, it would be wise for him to try and separate. The clinch should only be a safety valve for Gonzaga, not for a kickboxer like Filipovic.
Gabriel Gonzaga
Set up takedowns early
Filipovic may be one dimensional, but not Gonzaga. The latter can sling the leather but he can also wrench your arm or slap on a choke.
Gonzaga's best bet at obtaining a takedown will be through faints and level changes. He's not going to wow you athletically, which is why pumping a few jabs, or mustering up some body blows, will have an adverse effect on whether he is able to get Filipovic down or not.
If that doesn't work, the clinch is a good backup plan. Not only would Gonzaga be neutralizing his opponent's strong suit, but he'll be making him work and expend energy.
Be aggressive, but be patient
The chances of this bout going the distance are highly unlikely, mainly because the pair possess 11 first-round knockouts between them in UFC competition. He has also lost the only two decisions he has ever been a part of in the promotion.
Should he not see an opening though, then it wouldn't be the end of the world. The Brazilian has the easier path to victory in my opinion and is the more intelligent of the two.
Experienced grapplers -- like Schaub and Nelson -- have had success imposing their will on Filipovic. Gonzaga has the body and jiu-jitsu knowledge to give the Croatian a gritty fight.
Whatever you do, don't circle right!
Filipovic's best piece of offense is his vaunted left head-kick. If he finds himself getting rocked early, this is the one direction he can't afford to head towards.
That's a wrap!
No comments:
Post a Comment