Middleweight: Albert Duraev vs. Caio Bittencourt
Tale of the Tape
Albert Duraev
30-years-old
6’0″
Volgograd, Russia
Berkut FC
13-3
Eight submission
30-years-old
6’0″
Volgograd, Russia
Berkut FC
13-3
Eight submission
Caio Bittencourt
30-years-old
6’0″
Macapa, Amapa, Brazil
Bulldog Team
14-6
100% finish-rate
30-years-old
6’0″
Macapa, Amapa, Brazil
Bulldog Team
14-6
100% finish-rate
Pros and Cons
Albert Duraev
Pros
- Excellent wrestler
- Good jab
- Good one-two
- Heavy ground and pound
- Neck hunter
- Submission threat
- Heavy top position
- Nice variety of output/mixes it up
- Good leg kicks
- Good footwork
- Dangerous in bursts
Cons
- Will throw wide
- Wild at times
- Slows in the later rounds
Caio Bittencourt
Pros
- Knockout power/heavy hands
- Heavy leg kicks
- Heavy ground and pound
- Explosive
Cons
- Swings wide
- Lacks head movement
- Suspect cardio
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Duraev
Speed: Bittencout
Output/Volume: Duraev
Knockout Power: Bittencourt
Chin: Duraev
Kickboxing: Bittencourt
Footwork: Duraev
Wrestling: Duraev
Grappling: Duraev
Submissions: Duraev
Cardio: Duraev
Prediction
Although Bittencourt poses a knockout threat, this match-up was made for Duraev. Duraev has fought top-notch competition as the opponents he’s beat had a combined record of 167-53. Bittencourt’s is around 52-59. The only concern I have for Duraev is he hasn’t fought in nearly three years. With that said, Bittencourt hasn’t fought for even longer than that. I can see Duraev winning this fight anywhere, but to take the fight down and finish there is his best path to victory.
