Had azamat not gotten that meme ko, what would the odds be?
azamat had not been tested prior to his last fight. I’ll give him credit for having the wherewithal to find that counter overhand and time that knee while being tired.
He fell apart when nchukwi didn’t go away.
his game turned from bouncing on his toes throwing aggressive leads to flat footed counters off his back foot. He tried to wrestle but couldn’t. This was all from 3 minutes of trying to knock nchukwis head off.
maybe he learned from it and is more calculated. I still need to tape more. I want to see him in that two round decision. I’d like to see him wrestle. But judging from his record he’s faced very little adversity and hasn’t had to wrestle
If we match Tafon against Clark's last three opponents, how do you think he would do?
imo i think Tafon would light up William Knight, and he would be a -150 favorite in that fight.
Alonzo Menifield , I think he points Menifield to decision. he would be a -120
Dequan? -300 or -400
Tafon while looking completely demolished by two power hitters , is still a solid fighter who could dominate the mid tier guys. Tafon has solid fundamentals , a snappy lead high kick, a stiff jab, decent boxing guard, and solid body kicks. A thai boxing experience.
I don't think Azamat scoring a third round stoppage on a fight he was losing devalues him. Styles make fights, Tafon is a south paw like Azamat, it probably through him off fighting a mirror stance. I posted a Gif earlier of Devin clark getting overwhelmed by a body builder type fighter like Knight, who is not known for clean striking. If he turtles like that against Azamat , he isn't going to be let off the hook that easy.
I also question Clark as a wrestler, he matches well when facing low credential wrestlers. Azamat based on what i've seen looks like a competent grappler. Clark was taken down by Anthony Smith and out grappled, Smith is not known for being a good wrestler, he has a bjj black belt but he isn't a solid wrestler , he's got 4 takedowns in 22 ufc fights. Clark can wrestle but not at a high enough level to really pose a threat, he only got 1/10 takedowns against Alonso Menifield. Now we are lead to believe he can takedown a sambo guy with probably 50 amatuer fights in hand to hand combat(mma basically.) Who also did freestyle wrestling? Menifield was a college football guy and he stuffed Clark.
To make me a believer you gotta make me believe Clark can wrestle fk Azamat or out strike him, I just cant see it. Azamat is beatable no doubt, but you need someone who can thump and take a punch, has good fundamentals. Clark doesn't fit the bill.
His biggest pros are his height and reach and being a slightly better wrestler. For an underdog I need the dog to at least be drastically better in one area for me to considered.