Lightweight, Lucas Almeida Vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Tale of the Tape
30-years-old
5’11”
Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Herman Gutierrez Team
12-0
100% finish-rate
22-years-old
6’1″
Mexico City, Mexico
Romero Team
11-0
Finishes in rounds 1, 2, and 3
Pros and Cons
Lucas Almeida
Pros
- Strong right hand
- Throws in volume
- Good leg kicks
- Mixes in combinations well
- A lot of forward pressure
Cons
- Poor TDD
- Hands drop when exchanging
- Easily hit
- Grappling lacks
Daniel Zellhuber
Pros
- Good knees
- Does well from the outside
- Good kicks
- Good ground and pound
- Uses his size well
- Fast starter
- Good jiu-jitsu
- Athletic
Cons
- Throws single strikes
- Hands low
- Chin-up
- Poor TDD
- Needs work off his back
- Easy to pass his guard
- Slows as the fight goes
- Very sloppy in positions
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Zellhuber
Speed: Zellhuber
Output/Volume: Almeida
Knockout Power: Almeida
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Almeida
Footwork: Zellhuber
Wrestling: Zellhuber
Grappling: Zellhuber
Submissions: Even
Cardio: Almeida
Prediction
I’ve been watching Zellhuber for a long time. With that said, while I don’t believe he’s UFC level yet, and has a lot of things to work on, he has a lot of upside.
Both these fighters are each other’s toughest test to date. On the feet, it’s really a toss-up. Both lack defensively when it comes to moving their head and keeping their hands up. Almeida has the kickboxing background but I see this fight even on the feet or as a slight advantage to Zellhuber.
Almeida throws a lot more, but Zellhuber is a guy that understands how to use his range. A pressure striker will give Zellhuber fits and that’s what Almeida is. The problem is Almeida is easily hit and will pay rushing forward on Zellhuber. I believe the clearest path to victory for Zellhuber is on the mat. Zellhuber has a lot of defensive grappling holes but Almeida isn’t the guy to exploit that. Zellhuber does have solid jiu-jitsu and that’s potentially going to win him this fight.
