Road to UFC 2: Episode 2 Breakdown and Predictions

Flyweight, Jiniushiyue Vs. Billy Pasulatan

Tale of the Tape

Jiniushiyue
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
22-years-old
5’8″
11-2
Five-fight win streak
Combined opponents’ record: 25-31
Billy Pasulatan
Minahasa, Indonesia
30-years-old
5’6″
10-2
Six-fight win streak
Combined opponents’ record:46-19

Pros and Cons

Jiniushiyue

Pros

  • Good defensive wrestling
  • Heavy top position
  • Active ground and pound
  • Solid wrestling
  • Good chain-wrestling
  • Scrambles well

Cons

  • Chin straight up

Billy Pasulatan

Pros

  • Explosive
  • Fast starter
  • Scrambles well
  • Does well off his back
  • Dynamic
  • Good ground and pound
  • Submission threat
  • Good trip takedowns

Cons

  • Poor cardio
  • Throws blind kicks
  • Loose in grappling positions
  • Hands low
  • Poor TDD

Prediction: Pasulatan is the more exciting fighter but he has a lot more holes. I believe it’s either going to be a flash finish early from Pasulatan or it’s Jiniushiyue taking over.

Jiniushiyue has never been knocked out and I don’t see it happening here. It should be pointed out that Pasulatan is moving up from strawweight having never fought at 125. Pasulatan isn’t going to out-wrestle Jiniushiyue but I do think Jiniushiyue can put Pasulatan on his back. The biggest issue with Pasulatan is that one-round gas tank. At times it looks better but that’s when he’s in one-sided fights with no pushback. Jiniushiyue should just be able to wrestle and the takedowns will happen easier throughout the fight.