Heavyweight: Paulo Renato Jr Vs. Ibo Aslan
Tale of the tape
29-years-old
6’0″
Bage, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Infinity Fight Team
12-2
9 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponent’s record: 61-73
Ibo Aslan
27-years-old
6’3″
Vienna, Austria
Gyn 23
11-1
11 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 42-61
Pros and Cons
Paulo Renato Jr.
Pros
- Dangerous in bursts
- Good kickboxing
- Mixes in punches and kicks
- Heavy leg kicks
Cons
- Stands squared
- Slow
- Cardio lacks
- Vulnerable to leg kicks
- Lacks head movement
Ibo Aslan
Pros
- Fast starter
- Heavy hands
- Good elbows
- Heavy leg kicks
- Heavy GNP
Cons
- Swings wild
- Poor grappling defense
- Poor cardio
Prediction: There isn’t enough footage of these two to provide a good enough read. Renato was on the Contender Series last season and had an underwhelming performance losing to Jamal Pogues. I’m very surprised they offered Renato another shot. The only reason I believe the matchmakers did so is because they want Aslan in the UFC.
Aslan looks apart and his resume filled with finishes absolutely looks good on paper. From what I’ve seen he’s got a lot of concerns though. In his sole loss to Anton Turkalj he slowed badly, swung looping hooks, was taken down easily, and was easily submitted. Aslan is extremely dangerous as he puts everything into what he throws. He is vulnerable if he can’t get a quick finish.
Aslan does have an inflated record but Renato suffers from that even more so. Aslan is at least impressive when he’s finishing fights and the same can’t be said for Renato. Renato is too undersized at heavyweight having fought at 170 in the past. I won’t be surprised by any result but Aslan should really win this.
