Flyweight: Yuma Horiuchi Vs. Top Noi
Tale of the tape
Yuma Horiuchi
Tokyo, Japan
24-years-old
5’6″
9-4
No win streak
Tokyo, Japan
24-years-old
5’6″
9-4
No win streak
Top Noi
Phuket, Thailand
29-years-old
5’9″
7-3
No win streak
Phuket, Thailand
29-years-old
5’9″
7-3
No win streak
Pros and Cons
Yuma Horiuchi
Pros
- Good shot-selection
- Active kickboxing
- Good bodywork
- Underrated jiu-jitsu
- Constant steady pressure
- Good output/frequent pot-shotting
- Good one-two
- Deceptive power
Cons
- Weak TDD
- No head movement
- Plodding footwork
Top Noi
Pros
- Heavy kicks
- Good elbows
- Hits hard
- Power left hook
- Explosive
- Good counter striker
Cons
- Suspect chin
- Rushing in exposed
- TDD needs some work
- Low volume
- Nothing off his back
Prediction: Noi is a great striker when he actually lets his hands go. However, he does a bit too much waiting and not enough throwing. He’s going to have someone in his face though because that’s what Horiuchi does. The good thing for Noi is Horiuchi doesn’t use any evasive footwork nor move his head. That’s going to make it easier for Noi to get his strikes off.
Horiuchi is the much better grappler but doesn’t have the wrestling or the control to keep Noi down. Noi on paper is the better striker but as a whole, I’ve been just as impressed with Horiuchi. I do think his flat movement and stationary head will cost him. He could win off volume but the pick is Noi.
