Featherweight: Steven Nguyen Vs. Theo Rlayang
Tale of the Tape
28-years-old
5’11″
Dallas, Texas, US
Fortis MMA
7-1
27-years-old
5’6″
Greensboro, North Carolina, US
American Kickboxing Academy
5-0
Pros and Cons
Steven Nguyen
Pros
- Good wrestling
- Good in the clinch
- Accurate right hand
- Good cardio
- Throws volume well
- Knockout power
- Good one-two
Cons
- Flat-footed at times
- TDD needs work
- Leaves head on the centerline
- Does not offer much off his back
Theo Rlayang
Pros
- Uses a lot of feints
- Quick
- Good kickboxing
- Tricky
- Good footwork/Frequently switches stances
- Heavy leg kicks
- Mixes it up well/Puts together punches and kicks
- Underrated ground game
Cons
- Questionable striking defense
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Nguyen
Speed: Rlayang
Output/Volume: Nguyen
Knockout Power: Nguyen
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Rlayang
Footwork: Rlayang
Wrestling: Rlayang
Grappling: Rlayang
Submissions: Rlayang
Cardio: Nguyen
Prediction
Rlayang is a very exciting prospect with tons of talent. He went 6-1 as an amateur and is 5-0 as a pro. The only knock is he’s still fighting amateur-level competition as a pro. Nguyen has been in there with a few not-so-great guys also. He had his chance last Summer on the Contender Series against Aalon Cruz and was on the wrong side of a highlight-reel knockout.
Rlayang is fighting against a five-inch height disadvantage. Nguyen isn’t the most agile guy nor does his move his head much, so Rlayang could connect. I’m predicting Nguyen to be able to use his reach and pick apart Rlayang from the distance however. He could finish Rlayang, althoguh I wouldn’t be too surprised if Rlayang caught Nguyen.
