DWCS 2020 Week 9 Breakdown and Predictions

Natan Levy Credit: Youtube

Lightweight: Shaheen Santana vs. Natan Levy

Tale of the Tape

Shaheen Santana
29-years-old
6’1″
Miami, Florida, US
MMA Masters
6-0
Natan Levy
29-years-old
5’9″
Las Vegas, Nevada, US (originally Israel)
Syndicate MMA
5-0

Pros and Cons

Shaheen Santana

Pros

  • Submission threat
  • Good off his back/Dangerous guard
  • Solid grappling

Cons

  • Poor cardio
  • Bad TDD
  • Hands low

Natan Levy

Pros

  • Solid Jiu-Jitsu
  • Creative Kicks
  • Fast starter
  • Excellent takedown entries
  • Good ground and pound
  • Solid wrestling
  • Very well-rounded
  • Tough
  • Submission threat

Cons

  • Cardio needs work
  • Lacks striking defense
  • Leaves himself open in exchanges

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Levy
Speed: Levy
Output/Volume: Levy
Knockout Power: Neither
Chin: ?
Kickboxing: Levy
Footwork: Levy
Wrestling: Levy
Grappling: Levy
Submissions: Levy
Cardio: Levy

Prediction

While Levy is someone I think is better in every aspect, he’s a small 145er moving up to lightweight. And stepping into this fight on short notice. Levy is skilled on the feet but will have trouble against a good striker, especially a counter-striker. Good thing is, he won’t have to worry about that much with Santana as he’s essentially a grappler only.

Comparing both fighters in the grappling department, I’ve been more impressed with Levy. I’m siding with Levy here because I think he’s better where Santana is likely to want this fight at.