UFC Heavyweight Bout: Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic
Odds: (+160 Struve / -200 Miocic )
Betting Pick: Struve
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In the main event of the evening, undefeated Heavyweight prospect Stipe Miocic takes a big step up in competition to face towering Dutch striker Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve. Both of these guys have extremely dangerous striking, but Struve is going to enjoy a huge advantage in terms of height, reach, and experience. If Miocic wants to extend his record to 10-0, he is going to have to find a way to get inside Struve’s long reach and land big punches on the inside while also avoiding takedowns, because Struve is a world-class submission fighter and Miocic has never been tested on the ground by someone of his caliber.
Stipe Miocic is one of UFC’s most exciting Heavyweight prospects. Undefeated as a professional, Miocic has steadily climbed the ranks on the strength of his outstanding striking and devastating punching power. All 9 of Miocic’s wins have come as a result of strikes, with 8 T/KOs and one submission due to leg kicks. Since arriving in the UFC, Miocic has steadily stepped up his level of competition, and scored a great win against Shane del Rosario in his last outing. There is no question, though, that Struve is the most dangerous fighter he has ever faced, both standing and on the ground. Struve’s reach and technique make him a difficult guy to stand and trade against, and he has arguably the best submissions in the Heavyweight division, so Miocic is going to have his hands full. The one thing going in Miocic’s favor here is that Struve’s chin can definitely be exploited, and Miocic has the power to do just that. If he can find a way inside Struve’s huge range and work punches and dirty boxing from in close, he will be in a great position to put Struve to sleep.
Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve is one of the UFC’s most dangerous dual-threat Heavyweights. He is a tall, rangy kickboxer who uses his height and reach exceptionally well, and he has amazing submissions from a much wider variety of positions than most Heavyweight grapplers. Offensively, Struve is one of the most dangerous Heavyweights in the UFC, but his striking defense does leave a bit to be desired. The opponents who have managed to defeat Struve have all been heavy-handed punchers with solid chins who managed to get through his long range and abuse his weak chin on the inside, and Miocic seems to fit that bill. If Struve wants to avoid yet another knockout loss, he is going to have to do everything he can to keep Miocic on the end of his punches or to find a way to take this fight to the ground, where he will enjoy a massive advantage in technique.
This is a tough fight to call. Miocic has never fought a striker or a grappler as dangerous as Struve, much less one guy who can do both things so effectively. That said, Miocic seems like the kind of fighter specifically designed to exploit Struve’s weaknesses. If Miocic can get inside Struve’s range, he has more than enough technique and power to blow Struve up, and I think his chin is solid enough to deal with Struve’s power, as well. The real question is whether or not Struve will be able to get this fight to the ground. Miocic is not known for his grappling prowess and has never faced anyone near Struve’s level in terms of submissions, so if Struve can take this fight down he should be more than capable of submitting Miocic. In the end, I think Miocic will weather Struve’s striking fairly well, land some big shots of his own, but find himself taken down and submitted eventually. Struve by submission.
Prediction: Stefan Struve by second round rear naked choke.
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