Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that knee injury due to the brutal kicks Larkin was landing? RDA has some nasty kicks himself and I think he's going to use them here.
I also think it remains to be seen if RDA is too small for 170. Look what he did to Cerrone, Diaz, Bendo, etc., who have all had at least some success at 170. He also recently took 2 rounds off of Ferguson, maybe the best 155'er in the world right now and a guy who could certainly have a lot of success at 170 if he were to ever move up.
yes it was. but that does not necessarily mean that its going to happen again. it probably changed the direction of the fight but imo the outcome wouldve been the same as i think larkin is one of the best strikers at 170.
diaz was never a top level 170 and both he and cerrone have the frames to go up in weight. also, 155 cowboys game was based on his skillset whereas lw rdas game was based on overpowering guys backed by his granite chin and cardio.
im admittedly biased as i look to fade guys moving up in weight both in boxing and mma who mostly relied on power and punch resistance as opposed to skill and rda to me fits into this category.
hes a really small guy, a big 170 like gastelum woud just walk him down