Bantamweight: Lucas Rocha vs. Davi Bittencourt
Tale of the Tape
22-years-old
5’2″
Coari, Amazonas, Brazil
Renovação Coari Team
16-1
9 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 73-36-2
28-years-old
5’4″
Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Daniel Oliveira Methodology
14-3
6 KO/TKOs, 6 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 34-31-1
Pros and Cons
Lucas Rocha
Pros
- Good output/Combination striker
- Good bodywork
- Nice leg kicks
- Good ground and pound
- Credible wrestling
- Good ground and pound
- Scrambles well
- Good bodywork
- Complacent jiu-jitsu
- Good leg kicks
- Scrambles well
Cons
- Questionable chin
- Hands too wide/low
- Gives up his back too easy
- Vulnerable coming in
Davi Bittencourt
Pros
- Good ground and pound
- Fast starter
- Submission threat
- Aggressive
- Good jiu-jitsu
- Good wrestling
- Explosive
Cons
- Questionable chin
- Shoots from too far out at times
- Poor TDD
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Rocha
Speed: Rocha
Output/Volume: Rocha
Kickboxing: Rocha
Striking defense: Even
Footwork/movement: Rocha
Wrestling: Bittencourt
Grappling: Bittencourt
Gas tank: Even
Prediction: This fight was supposed to transpire last week, so the scouting report is more or less the same. One key difference, it has shifted to bantamweight rather than have both guys cut weight a second time. Rocha missed the mark by a whole lot however, leading to the fight to be called off, then re-booked.
Both fighters have had similar careers. Both started off filling their record with wins over questionable regional talent. Recently they both have proved to be top prospects beating other good fighters. Bittencourt has won his last 10 fights and just won the Shooto Brazil title. Rocha won multiple titles at strawweight but is now on at 125 and has won his last five.
I believe Bittencourt has his hands full in this one. It’s a fight he’s going to have to take to the mat because he will get chewed up on the feet. Bittencourt doesn’t have the best chin as he’s been dropped a lot in his career. Rocha is better in every area on the feet. Rocha’s speed, volume, and technique is going to overwhelm Bittencourt.
The clearest path to victory is for Rocha on the feet. I don’t think Bittencourt can even take Rocha down. Even if he does I don’t think his BJJ is good enough to neutralize Rocha. I’m confident Rocha is the better fighter and he will find the finish with his striking sometime later in the fight.
