[New post] Hall vs Strickland Analysis and Prediction
JBrayne posted: " Hall vs Strickland Analysis and Prediction Want to view analysis and predictions for all the match-ups on UFC on ESPN 28?CLICK HERE Uriah Hall (17-9) vs Sean Strickland (23-3) Middleweight (185) Uriah Hall Just when the Uri"
Just when the Uriah Hall hype train had appeared to be fully derailed in 2016, the explosive counter puncher has compiled a 5-1 streak. At a glance, it would be simple enough to assume that Hall has finally pieced together his game. Unfortunately, underneath the surface, the flaws in Hall's game remain ever apparent. Victories over truly weathered former champions, Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman, and a turnaround knockout over the extremely limited, Bevon Lewis, don't exactly inspire confidence.
Indicative of Hall's failures to develop were never more plain than during the Lewis fight. Outworked for almost three rounds, Hall threw almost nothing off the front-foot despite frequent opportunities to land. Worse yet, Hall almost timed himself out of the fight waiting for the perfect counter opportunity. While five rounds against Strickland will offer more numerous opportunities to land, Saturday's foe is not as defensively lax as Lewis. Although Hall fell apart under the pressure that Paulo Costa delivered, Strickland tends to sit at range rather than brute force into the pocket. Not only will this create the space for Hall to throw his favoured spinning kicks, but he will be to utilise his 3 1/2" reach advantage to land his jab.
The most sure-fire path to victory for Hall would be to land the one-shot KO. Strickland isn't the most advanced boxer, but he sets a harsh pace and aims to outwork his opponents. If Hall was unable to impose his pace against the ancient, Anderson Silva, there is little reason to believe he will opt to do so against Strickland. Instead, with confidence that Strickland lacks lights out power, Hall can bide his time to set up his powerful right hand. Although Costa found great success on the feet when Hall was pressed against the cage, the Brazilian represented a far stronger (juicier), immovable object.
Sean Strickland
A solid volume boxer, Strickland uses a varied jab to continually pressure opponents. Switching between snapping a jab from the elbow or committing behind a traditional jab, Strickland prevents fighters from landing first. Unfortunately, Strickland stands tall at the end of an opponent's reach. While the likes of Jack Marshman and Krzysztof Jotko lack the power to punish this behaviour, Hall is primed to detonate. Strickland has never been knocked out cold before, and will likely be able to wade through a handful of hard counters, but he cannot eat Hall's counters for five rounds.
Instead, Strickland needs to utilise his grappling and wrestling advantage. By no means a superb grappler, Strickland still showcased his physicality as he wrapped Brendan Allen against the cage when the prospect started to unload power shots. The five-round nature of the fight certainly favours Stickland's deep gas tank. Against a slow starter like Hall, Strickland can afford to lead with his boxing before opting for a wrestling outlet. The only issue would be if Hall chops with low kicks early. Due to Strickland's up-right stance, his lead leg remains susceptible to damage, as seen against Allen.
Whether Strickland utilises his wrestling or not, Tarzan can win a decision on the basis of volume and activity alone. While a Bevon Lewis fate will always remain lurking in the shadows, if Strickland can keep Hall's back pressed against the fence, it nullifies the most explosive aspects of his opponent's game. To engage in a jabbing war and trade at range would be suicide. Any other game plan heavily favours Strickland. Can he put aside his ego for a career-high scalp?
Predicted Result:Strickland Decision
Just when the Uriah Hall hype train had appeared to be fully derailed in 2016, the explosive counter puncher has compiled a 5-1 streak. Although the quality of opposition, and indeed the methods of victory, are rife for criticism - Hall remains a lethal stoppage artist. Strickland's tendency to stand tall at striking range plays directly into Hall's hands, who will be gifted enough space to unleash his spinning attacks. While biding his time to set up the perfect counter, Hall can pepper Strickland with a solid jab benefitting from a 3 1/2" reach advantage.
Despite owning a snapping jab himself, Strickland would be best advised to call upon his grappling and wrestling advantage. By no means a superb grappler, Strickland's chops were evident against Brendan Allen, wisely using the body lock to avoid the prospect's telegraphed power shots. Even without going to grapple, Strickland can win a decision on the basis of volume and activity alone. While a Bevon Lewis fate will always remain lurking in the shadows, if Strickland can keep Hall's back pressed against the fence, it nullifies the most explosive aspects of his opponent's game.
Chris Weidman soon found out that it wasn't worth throwing a naked leg kick against Uriah Hall | Hall vs Strickland
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