A pair of light heavyweight contenders in Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira will headline the UFC Vegas 13 card this Saturday. Also featured at the event are Andrei Arlovski, Cláudia Gadelha, Darren Elkins, and many young up-and-comers. Giga Chikadze (11-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is coming off a win just a few weeks ago, and is now matched up against newcomer Jamey Simmons.
James “The Afro Samurai” Krause-Simmons
5’5″
Featherweight
28-years-old
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Pura Vida BJJ/MMA
7-2
4 KO/TKOs
1 Submission
How will Simmons fare in the UFC:
Simmons is a wrestler first who has a background as a Wisconsin state champion. Outside of his wrestling, I find his overall skill set lackluster. He is a good wrestler once he closes the distance but his ability to close the distance is rough. Simmons has a strong body lock, a good single leg, and a high crotch. Still, with all that, once he gets the takedown his top control is weak. Even grappling he either sits in one position or losses positions. Simmons is pretty active with his ground and pound at least. On the feet, Simmons has a decent right hand but that’s about it. He looks uncomfortable while striking with plodding footwork and not much head movement. It’s a questionable signing in my opinion as he really hasn’t proved himself on the regional scene yet.
How he matches up with Chikadze
Chikadze should be getting a big step up in competition. Especially after beating Jamall Emmers, Irwin Rivera, and Omar Morales. It doesn’t make much sense to see him getting a debuting fighter next.
What Simmons does have that those three don’t is a solid wrestling base which is what could potentially stop the momentum of Giga. Chikadze has a big size advantage with an eight-inch height advantage however. I don’t see Simmons being able to close the distance against Giga and even if he gets the takedown, Giga might actually have better grappling. I don’t see Giga getting taken down here as it’s more likely he picks apart Simmons from the outside.
