Flyweight, Rei Tsuruya Vs. Mark Climaco
Tale of the Tape
Chiba, Japan
21-years-old
5’3″
7-0
Eight-fight win streak
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.
