DWCS 2019 Week 9 Breakdown and Predictions

Ricky Steele Dana White's Contender Series
Credit: Rob Norbutt

Bantamweight, Ricky Steele vs. Phil Caracappa

Tale of the Tape

Ricky Steele
31-years-old
5’11″
74″ Reach
Boise, Idaho
Combat Fitness
5-0

Phil Caracappa
27-years-old
5’8″
70″ Reach
New Jersey
Dante Rivera BJJ
8-0

Pros and Cons

Ricky Steele

Pros

  • Excellent leg kicks and kickboxing
  • Solid distance management
  • Solid cardio and takedown defense
  • Switches stance often

Con

  • Keeps hands down

Phil Caracappa

Pros

  • Solid wrestling
  • Good BJJ
  • Hits hard
  • Good ground and pound
  • Tough

Cons

  • Holds chin high
  • Open to counters

Who has the Advantage?

Striking: Caracappa
Speed: Steele
Knockout Power: Caracappa
Chin: Steele
Kickboxing: Steele
Footwork: Steele
Wrestling: Caracappa
Grappling: Caracappa
Submissions: Caracappa
Cardio: Steele

Prediction

This is an awesome matchup between two prospects who are UFC ready. Steele will obviously try to keep the fight standing where he has a big advantage. Steele’s biggest issue is he’s not active and coming off a long-term foot injury so it’s untelling how he looks. Steele hasn’t fought a wrestler like Caracappa but has shown solid takedown defense. My pick is Steele because he does have good takedown defense and has excellent distance control with his kickboxing.

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