Road to UFC 2: Episode 5 Breakdown and Predictions

Photo courtesy of IG (@markclimaco)

Flyweight, Rei Tsuruya Vs. Mark Climaco

Tale of the Tape

Rei Tsuruya
Chiba, Japan
21-years-old
5’3″
7-0
Eight-fight win streak
Mark Climaco
Fremont, California, US
25-years-old
5’4″
9-1
Three-fight win streak

Pros and Cons

Rei Tsuruya

Pros

  • Good wrestling/judo
  • Excellent ground and pound
  • Smooth grappling
  • Strong positional grappling
  • Scrambles well
  • Submission threat
  • Quick hands
  • Good activity
  • Aggressive

Cons

  • Lacks head movement
  • Hands low at times
  • Shoots from too far out at times

Mark Climaco

Pros

  • Excellent wrestling
  • Slick short combinations
  • Wonderful defensive wrestling
  • Well-timed takedown entries
  • Good positional grappler
  • Good ground and pound
  • Chain-wrestles very well
  • High work-rate
  • Good kickboxer
  • High wrestling pace
  • Submission threat
  • Throws a lot of different patterns
  • Good counter striker

Cons

  • Head sits on the centerline at times

Prediction: I love this fight and I hate that they have to fight each other not even in the finals. Both prospects are so good that this is easily a UFC-level fight. Both guys could no doubt be future-ranked UFC flyweights.

I do believe Tsuruya is going to show he’s a bit human for the most part. He’s looked outstanding in his career breezing through everyone. He hasn’t fought the caliber of fighter Climaco is however. Rei hasn’t had to strike any because he gets early takedowns and dominates on the ground. I don’t see that happening as Climaco is a legit wrestler and defensively he’s hard to get down and to hold down.

We know Climaco can strike when needed but we don’t know how well Tsuruya can strike. This is going toanswer a lot of questions about Tsuruya and right now I think it’s too much of a step up in competition. The pick is Climaco as he’s more proven.