Featherweight, Jose Delgado (7-1) vs. Ernie Juarez (8-0)
Notable Notes
- Juarez has never lost as a pro and amateur (8-0 pro, 3-0 amateur).
- Delgado trains out of the predominant gym in the MMA Lab.
- Juares is the current A1 Combat featherweight champion.
- Delgado has a 100% finish-rate. His only loss is by decision.
- This will be Delgado’s fourth fight this year.
Pros and Cons
Jose Delgado
Pros
- A lot of volume
- Blends together punches and kicks
- Excellent kickboxing
- Good footwork
- Scambles well
- Good ground and pound
- Fast starter
- Diverse
- Submission threat
- Uses a lot of feints
Cons
- TDD needs some work
- Suspect cardio
Ernie Juarez
Pros
- High guard
- Physically strong
- Good clinch work
- Primary right hand
- Good at catching kicks
- Heavy kicks
- Good pocket striker
Cons
- Flat-footed
- Loose top position
- No head movement
- Plodding footwork
- TDD needs work
Prediction: I scouted Juarez when he was 4-0 and he hasn’t really made any strides in his game. He had a tough fight in Icaro Brito originally for DWCS 2024 that wound up cancelled due to visa issues, but has another tough fight in Delgado. Delgado is taking this fight on short notice but he’s prime for a big opportunity.
With Juarez, you will see him on the feet more than anything but he likes to fight everywhere. The reason you don’t see him on the mat is because his wrestling isn’t good enough. I’d say he’ll try to wrestle more in this fight but his best chance is catching a kick and Delgado likes throwing those kicks.
Juarez has moments of being a good striker but putting it together is the issue. He lacks a lot of striking fundamentals that will hold him back. Delgado on the other hand is super confident on the feet with his aggressive loose flow-state striking. He gives a lot of looks and throws attacks from both sides making it hard to read from where he’s coming from.
Simply put, Juarez is going to have a lot of problems with Delgado. Delgado just eclipses Juarez on the feet and he’s not the wrestler to ground Delgado. Even if he was, he’s not the grappler necessary as Delgado is constantly working. I’ve got Delgado by first-round knockout and I’m 85% confident.
