Bantamweight: Jose Johnson vs. Ronnie Lawrence
Tale of the Tape
25-years-old
6’0″
74.0″ reach
Copperas Cove, Texas
StrKings
11-5
28-years-old
5’8″
70.0″ reach
Deerfield Beach, Florida
5-1
Pros and Cons
Jose Johnson
Pros
- Good use of his range
- Excellent muay thai
- Good leg kicks
- Athletic
- Good bodywork
- Mixes it up very well
- Throws is some goon angels
- Good kicks
- Explosive
- So good in the clinch
- Lethal elbows
- Solid cardio
Cons
- Weak TDD
- Grappling defense needs work
Ronnie Lawrence
Pros
- Excellent kicks
- Mixes it up very well
- Good bodywork
- Understanding of his distance
- Very good knees
- Good wrestling
- Good leg kicks
- Diverse attack
- Well-rounded
- Good movement
Cons
- Does drop his hands too low at times
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Johnson
Speed: Lawrence
Output/Volume: Lawrence
Knockout Power: Johnson
Chin: Unknown
Kickboxing: Lawrence
Footwork: Lawrence
Wrestling: Lawrence
Grappling: Lawrence
Submissions: Neither
Cardio: Even
Prediction
I love this fight as it’s between two creative high-level strikers. As good as Lawrence is on the feet his clearest path to victory is to use his wrestling. The thing is, I haven’t seen Lawrence wrestle enough for me to think he can take Johnson down. And even though he may take Johnson down, I don’t think he can hold him down for long at all.
On the feet, it’s going to be super fun as both men can end the fight at any time. I’m leaning towards Johnson because he’s got a big physicality advantage. Johnson in this fight has a five-inch height advantage and a four-inch reach advantage. Lawrence may throw a bit more but Johnson has conviction in what he throws. The pick is Johnson in what should be an awesome fight.
