Feinting can also diminish the defensive reactions of opponents. If a fighter feints often enough, the opponent stops buying the immediate threat, and that’s when an opening is created to land. Wrestler Jordan Burroughs would frequently set up his signature double-leg takedown by feinting with jab steps, and after enough feints, his opponent took the immediate threat of the shot less seriously, which created an opening for Burroughs to blast through and secure the takedown.
Mazzeo’s opponent, Kevin Christian, is massive for the division, standing 6’7” with an 80-inch reach. Christian is 8-2 in his pro career but has only fought once since 2019, winning via strikes in a wild fight against Miguel Porto. However, despite winning his most recent fight, there were several alarming issues with Christian’s technique. Christian’s distance striking is sloppy, and he does not use his length well. In his fight against Porto, Christian swung wildly with his hands at his waist and his chin upright and on the centerline. Christian paid the price for his poor defense, getting floored in the first round, and had to recover his wits off his back in closed guard.
If Christian takes technique like this into his fight against Mazzeo, he’s likely in for a short night against Mazzeo’s powerful and crisp striking. Despite having a significant disadvantage in length and height, Mazzeo should blast through Christian’s porous defense and win this fight via KO/TKO.
Prediction: Francesco Mazzeo to win by KO/TKO
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