Heavyweight: Jamal Pogues Vs. Paulo Renato Jr.
Tale of the tape
26-years-old
6’3″
Victorville, California, US
Cobra Cai
8-3
4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponent’s record: 28-5
28-years-old
6’0″
Bage, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Infinity Fight Team
10-1
7 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponent’s record: 34-43
Pros and Cons
Jamal Pogues
Pros
- Good grinder
- Dominant top position
- Solid BJJ
- Good wrestling
- Relentless pressure
- Scrambles well
- Good takedown entries
- Strikes to close the distance
- Strong cardio
Cons
- A bit one-dimensional
- Hands low
Paulo Renato Jr.
Pros
- Dangerous in bursts
- Good kickboxing
- Mixes in punches and kicks
- Heavy leg kicks
Cons
- Stand squared
- Lacks head movement
Prediction: We’re not able to go too deep on this one since footage on Renato is limited. It is known that he has a nice kickboxing record. He was a Pan American Champion, Brazilian Champion, Five-time Gaúcho Kickboxing Champion, and a Two-time Brazilian Cup Champion.
It is also worth noting is he started off at welterweight and in 2017 took a four-year layoff. When he came back he was beefed up now fighting at heavyweight.
Pogues already beat a Brazilian guy with a padded record on the Contender Series in 2019 and he will again this time. Pogues is actually a solid prospect and still really young for the weight class. I’m confident Pogues wins with his wrestling and ground game. If it goes longer than expected I’m positive Pogues will take over even more. Should be an easy fight for Pogues.
