Akitoshi Tamura vs. Wagnney Fabiano Odds
In a battle of former champions, one-time IFL Featherweight Champion Wagnney Fabiano is set to throw down with with former SHOOTO Lightweight Champion Akitoshi Tamura in a fight that promises fireworks. With both fighters riding impressive win streaks, look for a hard fought battle as they both try to insert themselves into the championship scene in a new promotion.
Wagnney Fabiano, a dangerous grappler with punishing Muay Thai who trains out of Brazil’s famed Nova Uniao camp, is the definition of well-rounded. With an impressive collection of first round submission victories and potent standup, especially in the clinch, Fabiano is a legitimate threat to end a fight from nearly any position. After a brief stint in small shows, Fabiano forcefully placed his name into Top 10 consideration, tearing his way through IFL’s 145 pound division, with only one of his six fights making it out of the opening round. He will have his hands full with Tamura, though, who is easily the highest quality opponent he has ever faced.
A long time SHOOTO staple, Akitoshi “Ironman” Tamura has captured impressive wins against world-class opponents such as Takeshi Inoue and Rumina Sato. While not known as a finisher, Tamura is well versed standing and on the ground, and is a notoriously slippery and hard to finish fighter. His gameplan against Fabiano will no doubt be to avoid the clinch, and force the standup exchanges into pure boxing, where he will be able to hold his own. I definitely expect Tamura to use his jab to keep Fabiano at bay and then shoot in for takedowns from the outside so that he can control the ground game from the top and minimize the danger of being caught in the Brazilian’s slick submissions.
In the end, this fight will come down to experience. Fabiano is an extremely skilled fighter, but Tamura has squared off with some of the best in the world and escaped with victories.
I see some heated exchanges, but in the end, the elusive Tamura will hold Fabiano off effectively en route to a narrow Unanimous Decision victory.
