Heavyweight: Thomas Petersen Vs. Chandler Cole
Tale of the tape
28-years-old
6’1″
Farmington, Minnesota, US
Spartan MMA
7-1
7 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 39-42-3
28-years-old
5’10”
Coeburn, Virginia, VA
Team Oxendine MMA
10-3
8 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 34-64
Pros and Cons
Thomas Petersen
Pros
- Strong wrestling
- Heavy ground and pound
- Fast starter
- Heavy hands
- Nice pull-counter
- Heavy top position
Cons
- Plodding footwork/Flat-footed
- Lacks head movement
- Slows in the later rounds
Chandler Cole
Pros
- Good wrestling
- Good ground and pound
- Athletic
- Effective grappling
- Good movement
Cons
- Doesn’t take damage well
- Turtles up
- Has trouble closing the distance
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Petersen
Speed: Cole
Output/Volume: Cole
Kickboxing: Cole
Striking defense: Cole
Footwork/movement: Cole
Wrestling: Petersen
Grappling: Petersen
Gas tank: Even
Prediction: Cole has had big opportunities but has always fallen short. He lost the one fight he had with CFFC and LFA. He was a part of the PFL season in 2021 and went 0-1. Cole was on TUF 30 last year and went 0-1. He’s won both his fights since his stint on TUF but those two wins are against guys with losing records.
The resume isn’t much better for Petersen. Peterson did win the LFA title in 2021. He then lost it in his next fight to Waldo Cortes-Acosta who then was later signed to the UFC. He’s gotten back on the board and is on a two-fight win streak like Cole. Also like Cole, Petersen has beat bottom-tier regional heavyweights.
I feel confident picking Petersen in this one. Both are better wrestlers than anything but Petersen is better there. Cole shouldn’t be a heavyweight. He’s only 5’10” so he’s not going to be effective at a higher level. Petersen could just dominate with his wrestling. Even on the feet, Cole doesn’t like to get hit and Petersen does hit hard.
