UFC 177 ‘Dillashaw vs. Barao 2’ Preview

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Lightweights

Yancy Medeiros (9-2, 0-2, UFC) vs. Damon Jackson (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

The Matchup: The Legacy Fighting Championship featherweight titleholder, Jackson jumps up a weight class on nine days’ notice to take on Medeiros in a lightweight bout. Both are talented and improving at rapid clips, and this has every chance to be an exciting scrap between a pair of extremely aggressive young fighters.

Medeiros exudes potential. He is an outstanding athlete with great explosiveness, a rangy frame and big power in his hands, all of which makes him a dangerous sprawl-and-brawler.

The foundation of his game consists of a long front kick, a sharp jab and vicious left hook-right straight combinations, which he can throw moving backward and forward. He is extremely aggressive and is vulnerable to counter shots as he walks down his opponent, but he is no slouch himself in exchanges. Most importantly, he produces consistent offense and volume. Medeiros’ offensive wrestling game is non-existent, but his takedown defense has thus far been solid; we know little about his ground game.

Jackson’s game is all about pursuing the takedown with single-minded intensity. His striking, while not exactly a weak point, mostly serves as a bridge to move him to infighting range, where his clinch entries and level changes are smooth and well-timed. Once the fight hits the mat, as it has inevitably done in Jackson’s nine pro fights, the Texan maintains a powerful base and integrates hard ground strikes with constant positional advancements and topside submissions.

Betting Odds: N/A

The Pick: Jackson is one of the world’s brighter featherweight prospects, and if he had a full camp to prepare, he would likely still be the pick here at 155 pounds. Medeiros is a rangy lightweight, however, with more advanced striking skills and better athleticism than any of Jackson’s previous opponents. I expect Medeiros to stay away from the cage and keep Jackson away with his rangy jab, nailing him with counter rights for all three rounds. Medeiros wins by unanimous decision.

Last Fights » The Prelims