Featherweight: Dennis Buzukja Vs. Kaleio Romero
Tale of the Tape
24-years-old
5’9″
Staten Island, New York, US
LAW MMA
7-2
3 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 26-23
26-years-old
5’10”
Sacramento, California, US
Team Alpha Male
6-1
2 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 13-32
Pros and Cons
Dennis Buzukja
Pros
- Heavy hands
- Good bodywork
- A good one-two
- Good elbows
- Good combinations
- Nice output
- Tough
Cons
- No head movement
- Cardio needs work
- Is a bit stiff
Kaleio Romero
Pros
- Good wrestling
- Scrambles well
- Solid TDD
- Strong top position
- Submission threat
Cons
- Stands squared
- Slows as the fight goes
- Swings wide
- One-dimensional
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Buzukja
Speed: Buzukja
Output/Volume: Buzukja
Kickboxing: Buzukja
Striking defense: Even
Footwork/movement: Even
Wrestling: Romero
Grappling: Romero
More likely to finish on the mat: Romero
Gas tank: Buzukja
Prediction: This is a wrestler vs striker match-up, with the underlying question of who has the better gas tank.
The footage available isn’t great for either fighter, but I’m more familiar with Buzukja. Although I don’t think he’s UFC level yet, I think he’s a tough out for anyone to break through to that level.
Buzukja isn’t defensively responsible but if you come in against him all the same he will make you pay. If you don’t have effective footwork and move your head well he will walk you down and eventually catch you.
Watching Romero, I’m sure Buzukja can find the target. Romero has effective wrestling but from what I’ve seen if that doesn’t work out, there isn’t a plan B. I like Buzukja here because he has more gas in the tank and I’d imagine would be hard to wrestle him for three straight rounds.
