Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow Fight Prediction – UFC 114

TODD DUFFEE vs. MIKE RUSSOW

Fight Overview:  Two up and comers in the Heavyweight division will meet in an old-school striker vs. grappler match.  Duffee has some of the scariest punching in the sport, but his ground game has never been tested, while Russow has not shown much in the standup, but his takedowns, top control, and submissions are all great.

Duffee’s Strengths:  Duffee has crazy hand speed, accuracy, and punching power.

Duffee’s Weaknesses:  His level of competition has been subpar, to the point that the relatively unknown Russow is easily his toughest test to date.  His takedown defense, submission defense, and ability to work off his back have also never been tested.

Russow’s Strengths:  Russow has a very patient and effective ground game, good takedowns, good positional control, and good submissions.

Russow’s Weaknesses:  His standup is rudimentary at best, and he will not be able to stand with Duffee for even 10 seconds without getting lambasted, so he is going to have to force his takedowns from the opening bell.

The Verdict:  I think that, generally, matchups like this favor the grappler.  Duffee has never had to deal with adversity of any kind in any of his professional fights, and Russow is determined and skilled enough that he can plant Duffee on his back.  Clearly, Duffee has it in him to knock Russow, or anyone else on Earth, out cold, but I think that Russow has the stylistic advantage, and at +325, he is a great underdog pick.  Russow by submission.

Fight Prediction:  Mike Russow by second round submission.

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