The Fight-Junior Dos Santos v Blagoy Ivanov
By Andrew Hickey
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos makes his return to the octagon after 14 months away this coming Saturday. Originally flagged by USADA for a potential violation, JDS was cleared of any intentional wrong doing after an independent report found a compound pharmacy in Brazil had supplied tainted supplements. His most recent bout came at UFC 211 in May of last year when he faced Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. The bout lasted all of 142 seconds and ended with JDS turtled against the cage felled by the powerful hands of the Croatian American.
It continued a now 6-year streak of alternating between wins and losses for the once dominant champion. A declining punch resistance mixed with yearly appearances have seen Cigano’s star diminish in recent times. The Aura that accompanied his 9-fight win streak and ascent to the title is fading but last to fade will be the power he carries.
Still a man to be feared by any fighter, he has the ability to end a fight with one shot and victories over all-time greats Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum prove the class the American Top team fighter has.
On the other end of the Spectrum is 2008 Sambo world champion Blagoy Ivanov. A Bellator and WSOF veteran with a stellar 16-1 record, the Bulgarian makes his UFC debut in front of the Boise faithful 6 years removed from being stabbed in the heart. He has made a remarkable recovery from the life-threatening injury to headline a UFC event after defending his WSOF/PFY crown 4 times. Never before though has he faced off against a fighter with the pedigree of JDS. UFC caliber fighters are hard to find on his resume, Shawn Jordan, Lavar Johnson, Ilar Latifi and Alexander Volkov whom he lost to in Bellator are the stand out names. A background in Judo and Sambo, Ivanov looks to announce in arrival on the world stage.
Game-Plan
Owner of some of the best hands in the division, Junior Dos Santos shines on the feet. Violent power set to beautiful technique, the heavy-handed Brazilian can strike from anywhere. A background in Capoeira gives him a rare agility for the weight. Boxing skills, strikes from the clinch, knees, spinning hook kicks Dos Santos has the full repertoire on the feet.
His style has turned from clinical to cautious over the last few outings. Protecting his chin more and becoming reliant on his abilities to out strike his opponent. The power is there but the chess style striking means he needs to connect perfectly in the limited output opposed to the more free-flowing version earlier in his career. It’s been 5 years since his finished a fight.
Ivanov is a one-dimensional striker. He throws heavy one-shot bombs and does not have the footwork or hand speed to hide his intentions. A granite chin aids his limitations on the feet and the natural power heavyweights possess means he is always a danger. Dos Santos should negate the grappling threat and high level submission skills leaving this as a stand-up battle with Ivanov looking for the kill shot and Dos Santos working with his extensive arsenal.
Prediction
There is a trend at the championship end of the UFC’s heavyweight division. Alexander Volkov’s KO of Fabricio Werdum and Curtis Blaydes destruction of Alistair Overeem both saw prospects realize their potential, an Era is coming to an end. The stalwarts of the division, the veterans that have taken far too much accumulated damage are being picked off by the younger generation. Although just 34 years old, its undeniable the wars with Cain Velasquez and the losses to Overeem and Miocic have taken its toll on the chin and resilience of Dos Santos.
Blagoy Ivanov connects on the feet and finishes on the ground. Bagata becomes a contender.
Blagoy Ivanov via TKO in round 2.
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