Flyweight: Zhifa Shang Vs. Juan Puerta
Tale of the Tape
35-years-old
5’6″
Heilongjiang, China
Longyun MMA Gym
32-7
4 KO/TKOs, 19 Submissions
33-years-old
5’8″
Atlanta, Georgia, US
American Top Team Atlanta
22-6
1 KO/TKO, 12 Submissions
Pros and Cons
Zhifa Shang
Pros
- Aggressive
- Wrestles well
- Submission threat
- Good cardio
- Scrambles well
- Good ground and pound
- Good back take
Cons
- Tend to get caught in submission attempts
- TDD needs work
Juan Puerta
Pros
- Submission threat
- Good jab
- Good back take
- Strong jiu-jitsu
- Good kicks
- Good use of range
- Versatile submission attack
Cons
- Hands low
- Slows as the fight goes
- Throws single strikes
- Struggles going backwards
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Even
Speed: Shang
Output/Volume: Puerta
Knockout Power: Even
Chin: Even
Kickboxing: Even
Footwork: Shang
Wrestling: Shang
Grappling: Even
Submissions: Puerta
Cardio: Shang
Prediction
A battle between two older flyweights with a ton of experience. They have a combined record of 54-13. I like both fighters and I wish these two were fighting the other flyweights later on the card.
Both are mainly grapplers and on the feet, it’s nearly even. Puerta is the longer fighter but Shang makes up with it for his pressure. I would favor Shang because of his aggression and Puerta is hittable going backwards. A fight I’m sure will go to the mat so that’s going to be where the fight is decided.
Overall, I’ve been more impressed with Shang. He just has problems putting himself in bad positions and he doesn’t want to do that against Puerta. Shang is on a 20-fight win streak and I’m taking him for the upset. I think he’s slightly better everywhere and has a big endurance advantage. Not confident at all since Chinese fighters have been doing poorly in the UFC and on DWCS, but this one has a real shot. I see Shang at a +160 dog and that’s worth betting. If Puerta wins it will be by submission and that’s +350
