UFC 131 – Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes Prediction

KENNY FLORIAN vs. DIEGO NUNES

Fight Overview:  Kenny “KenFlo” Florian makes his 145 pound debut against a Top 10 opponent in Diego Nunes.  These guys have similar styles and are both very well-rounded, so this should be a very exciting and competitive fight.

Florian’s Strengths:  Florian has great submissions and has become a dominant striker, with very technical boxing and great Muay Thai.

Florian’s Weaknesses:  His wrestling is the only real hole in his game and this is his first time cutting to 145 pounds.

Nunes’ Strengths:  Nunes has very solid boxing, good submissions, and good wrestling.

Nunes’ Weaknesses:  He has trouble taking fights over and he is not a very good finisher.
The Verdict:  These two guys are very similar stylistically, but I think Florian is a little better at everything.  His boxing is a bit crisper and he mixes in kicks and clinch work better, he has more effective submissions, and most importantly he is more aggressive and tends to push the pace more.  Nunes should be able to hang in there, but I think Florian should control the action for the entire fight en route to a clear-cut unanimous decision.