Lightweight: Issa Isakov Vs. Marquel Mederos
Tale of the Tape
33-years-old
5’9″
Russia/Belgium
Streetsport Luxembourg
10-2
6 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 86-55-1
26-years-old
5’10”
7-1
Englewood, Colorado, US
factoryX Muay Thai
5 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 32-20-1
Pros and Cons
Issa Isakov
Pros
- Strong wrestling
- Submission threat
- Solid ground and pound
- Good positional grappling
- Chain wrestles well
- Explosive
- Utilizes trips wells
Cons
- Head movement needs work
- Hands low
Marquel Mederos
Marquel Mederos
Pros
- Chopping leg kicks
- Throws in volume
- Credible wrestling
- Explosive
- Good distance management
- Excellent use of feints
Cons
- Questionable chin
- Gives up his back easily
- Gaps in grappling defense
- Doesn’t respond well to getting hit
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Mederos
Speed: Mederos
Output/Volume: Mederos
Kickboxing: Mederos
Striking defense: Even
Footwork/movement: Mederos
Wrestling: Isakov
Grappling: Isakov
Gas tank: Even
Prediction: Another good fight made by the matchmakers. Both men had disappointing losses in the past but both have been performing at the best of their abilities.
have completely different styles. Isakov is a solid wrestler and such a threat on top. Mederos is a solid striker that is very dangerous. It’s whoever can impose their strong suit the most. If Issakov can get takedowns he’s going to have a great chance of dominating or finishing the fight. Mederos has some holes in his grappling defense like letting guys take his back too easy. Issakov has decent hands but Mederos has a lot more tools. Neither are 100% perfect in their best attribute. Issakov sometimes telegraphs his takedowns and Mederos doesn’t like getting hit too much.
I’m not confident in picking a winner in this fight. I’m slightly favoring Issakov. Only because Mederos is going to struggle more on the mat than he is on the feet. I believe Issakov can strike his way into completing takedowns. From there I do think he will end up submitting Mederos. Not confident at all though.
