Light-heavyweight: Anton Turkalj Vs. Acacio dos Santos
Tale of the Tape
25-years-old
6’4″
Göteborg, Sweden
GBG MMA
7-0
5 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 22-10
30-years-old
6’4″
Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Power Lotus Team
14-4
6 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 73-32
Pros and Cons
Anton Turkalj
Pros
- Explosive
- Covers distance quickly
- Good kicks
- Diverse/Tricky
- Knockout threat
- Heavy ground and pound
- Good grappling
Cons
- Rushes in carelessly
- Sloppy striking
Acacio dos Santos
Pros
- Uses his size to wear on guys
- Strong clinch work
- Good output
- Decent power
- Credible gas tank
- Heavy top position
- Good ground and pound
- Good leg kicks
Cons
- Very wild striking/throws too wide
- Hands low, chin up
- TDD lacks
- Flat-footed
- TDD needs work
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Turkalj
Speed: Turkalj
Output/Volume: Even
Kickboxing: Turkalj
Striking defense: Turkalj
Footwork/movement: Turkalj
Wrestling: Turkalj
Grappling: Turkalj
More likely to finish on the mat: Turkalj
Gas tank: Santos
Prediction: Turkalj has been on my radar for a while but there is no doubt he’s still a raw talent.
Santos meanwhile is much more experienced, but I will say that all the opponents he’s beaten are lower-level. Turkalj on the other hand did beat Ibo Aslan who I would pick to beat Santos. Styles make fights though and Santos is a tough one for Turkalj.
I do still like Turkalj in this fight because he is the more athletic explosive fighter. Santos wins a lot of fights due to his size and well, Turkalj is the same size. The pick is Turkalj and I think he takes Santos down and gets the TKO.
