Road to UFC Season 4: Episode 4 Breakdown and Predictions

Lightweight, Sang Uk Kim (11-3) Vs. Daichi Kamiya (6-0)

Sang Uk Kim

Kim is making his second attempt at the Road to UFC after finishing 1-1 in season two. Since then, he’s picked up two wins, though one opponent had a record of 8-11 and the other was 44 years old. Uk isn’t anything particularly impressive. He’s a solid wrestler and positional grappler, relying heavily on his ground game to secure victories. However, his striking is a mess, and if the takedowns aren’t there, he becomes uncomfortable. His discomfort comes from the fact that he struggles to stand and trade on the feet without getting clipped.

Daichi Kamiya

Kamiya made a name for himself last October with a standout performance in Australia at Eternal MMA, where he defeated Raymart Quintana via twister. He brings a strong grappling game with both submission skills and a grinding style focused on position control. While his wrestling technique isn’t my favorite, his ability to finish is impressive. Kamiya often shoots for the legs, drives his opponent to the cage, and works for trips to secure takedowns. With a judoka background, his takedowns reflect that style. On the feet, he employs a karate-based stance, with kicks being his most effective weapon. However, he is a liability due to his lack of head movement, making him vulnerable to strikes.

Prediction: This is an intriguing match-up for both fighters, as they share a strong wrestling and grappling background. Kamiya is known for his slick, crafty grappling, while Uk is more disciplined in terms of positional control. While I don’t have a lot of insight into Kamiya’s striking, it’s clear that Uk struggles when the fight is on the feet. My confidence is not as high as I’d like, but I’m picking Kamiya. I believe he can win the striking exchanges and, with superior jiu-jitsu and cage wrestling, grind out a decision victory.