Lightweight, Chasen Blair (6-2) Vs. Kody Steele (6-0)
Notable Notes
- Steele was supposed to fight earlier this season.
- Steele has never lost an MMA fight. 8-0 combined as a pro and amateur.
- Blair just fought a little over two weeks ago to this fight.
- Blair has fought his entire career under the Cage Warriors banner.
- Steele has only fought at lightweight once. He’s fought in catchweight bouts three times.
- Blair started at welterweight but is now undefeated at 155 (2-0).
- Steele has finished in rounds one, two, and three while winning by decision twice.
- Blair has five first-round finishes.
Chasen Blair
Pros
- Strong wrestling
- Excellent ground and pound
- Knockout power
- Solid jiu-jitsu
- Good positional grappling
- Counters very well
- Submission threat
Cons
- Questionable cardio
Kody Steele
Pros
- Solid wrestling
- Good jiu-jitsu
- Scrambles well
- High workrate
- Hits hard
- Good ground and pound
- Chain wrestles well
- Dangerous in the pocket
Cons
- Questionable TDD
- Stands squared
- Throws wide hooks
- Gets wild with his hands
- Overzealous in transitions
Prediction: Steele was supposed to fight earlier this season on DWCS but Quemuel Ottoni pulled out on the night of the fight. He’s now fighting Chasen Blair which is a much better fight anyway. Blair is 6-2 but those losses are tough to hold against him. I believe his “loss” to Jeff Craig was an awful decision. Against Hassanzada, Blair dropped him but was caught in a kneebar.
I would’ve liked to see Steele get more experience because he’s still raw. On the other side, Blair is even younger and has the same amount of fight experience but Blair just seems more seasoned in the cage. Blair is a Division 1 wrestler and Steele is a BJJ black belt but both guys have been knocking dudes out. I value Blair’s striking much more. Steele mainly has power but lacks the technique and proper footwork.
Blair isn’t the most put-together striker but does throw more output and can throw with power from both hands. I believe Steele would have to lean more on his ground game and put Blair on his back which is an unfamiliar position for him. There is no evidence Blair can be taken down in controled. Also, no evidence on how Blair would do off his back.
Being a D1 wrestler Blair should be able to handle himself. I do think as the fight goes he’ll slow down and that’s when Steele could take over. I still am leaning towards Blair because he has a good-sized advantage on the feet and as long as his cardio holds up I believe his ground game is just as good. Blair is a wrestler but his grappling is legit. I really like this fight but it’s Blair by decision and I’m somewhat confident.
