Dutchball97 wrote:_NoMas wrote:Reeko wrote:If he actually used his wrestling. Khamzat is just as likely to try to stand with Pereira.
Yeah He’s defo not all there in the head. But surely even khamzat can’t be stupid enough to trade with a 220 pound striking monster. Take him down and tap him out quick time!
I wonder when people are going to realize "just take him down" doesn't work against significantly larger opponents. The only grappling heavy champs are Islam and Aljo at the moment.
Except Pereira did get taken down and controlled by Izzy, who isn’t even a good offensive grappler at all, certainly on the far lower end among the ranked MWs. All respect to Pereira for getting the job done but his grappling level is straight up horrific for a champ, he was fortunate to face someone who is also primarily a kickboxer without the offensive grappling to fully capitalize.
There are dudes in the MW division (Khamzat if he goes back up, Whittaker, Vettori, etc) who are MILES beyond in that department, and obviously they could get nuked before that if they get reckless, but if they manage to get a hold of him like Izzy did they’d absolutely work him.
Like Chimaev in particular, if he doesn’t get clipped on the feet and is able to get a hold of Pereira, he’s getting him down and ending it quickly. It doesn’t matter if Alex is bigger/stronger, his grappling skill is nowhere near ready for those dudes and his tactic of brute force isn’t going to work against elite level chain wrestlers.