It’s back to five fights, and back to Tuesday night for DWCS this week. And of course our breakdown and predictions are back as well. A last-minute shake-up to the Dana White’s Contender Series 2020 Week 9 card sees the undefeated Natan Levy step in for Landon Quiñones. Israel’s Levy will be facing Shaheen Santana, while Canadian Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz will look to follow in the footsteps of T.J. Laramie, who won a UFC contract earlier this year.
There’s three more great fights on top of that. Now on with the show!
Middleweight: Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz vs. Mário Sousa
Tale of the Tape
31-years-old
6’3″
Winnipeg, Manitoba (originally Germany)
Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts
8-0
24-years-old
6’5″
Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Cães do Ringue
11-1
Pros and Cons
Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz
Pros
- Good long strikes
- Submission threat
- Good ground and pound
- Good hands
Cons
- TDD needs work
- Hands low
Mario Sousa
Pros
- Fast starter
- Good front kick
- Submission threat
- Good guard
Cons
- Weak TDD
- Poor positional grappling
- Hands low/Chin high
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Ksiazkiewicz
Speed: Sousa
Output/Volume: Sousa
Knockout Power: Ksiazkiewicz
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Sousa
Footwork: Ksiazkiewicz
Wrestling: Ksiazkiewicz
Grappling: Ksiazkiewicz
Submissions: Ksiazkiewicz
Cardio: Ksiazkiewicz
Prediction
There isn’t a lot of footage out there on Canada’s Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz. With that said, the footage that exists of Mario Sousa shows that he has a number of holes to fill.
Where Ksiazkiewicz should be able to find success with his wrestling and grappling. Sousa has been taken down easily by lesser fighters and even though he is dangerous off his back, his BJJ doesn’t rate that high. On the other hand, the jiu-jitsu of Ksiazkiewicz (who has his black belt) comes with stronger control and finishing ability. Sousa is a threat with how aggressive he starts fights, and he likely has the speed advantage. Still, my slightly less than confident pick has me siding with the bigger and stronger Ksiazkiewicz.
Be sure to check out our full interview with Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz ahead of DWCS 2020 Week 9 as well!
