Bantamweight: Tony Gravely vs. Ray Rodriguez
Tale of the Tape
27-years-old
5’6″
70″ Reach
Christiansburg, Virginia
Tech MMA & Fitness Academy
18-5
Rodriguez
31-years-old
5’7″
71″ reach
San Antonio, Texas
Ohana Jiu-Jitsu
15-5
Pros and Cons
Gravely
Pros
- Solid ground and pound
- Heavy hands and good flurries
- Good cardio
- Solid wrestling with heavy top control
Cons
- Takedown defense needs a bit of work
Rodriguez
Pros
- Solid BJJ and ground-and-pound
- Good striking combinations
- Goes to the head kick well
- Dangerous submission base
Cons
- Poor takedown defense
Who has the Advantage?
Striking: Rodriguez
Speed: Gravely
Knockout Power: Gravely
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Rodriguez
Footwork: Rodriguez
Wrestling: Gravely
Grappling: Rodriguez
Submissions: Rodriguez
Cardio: Gravely
Prediction
This is a great fight between two good UFC-level prospects. Rodriguez has a glaring hole in his takedown defense. While that could hinder him against a solid wrestler in Gravely, it could also work to his advantage. Gravely has been submitted before (four times) and Rodriguez, who runs the Ultimate Submission Academy, has the craft to do so. On the feet, Rodriguez may have the better technique but the athleticism and explosiveness work more in the favor of Gravely. It’s a close fight but Gravely has more ways to win, with Rodriguez’s path to victory likely being off his back — don’t bank on that.
Next: Karl Reed vs. Julius Anglickas
