Donte Johnson vs Baisangur Susurkaev Prediction
FightIQ rating gap 8 points. Donte Johnson rates 76 and Baisangur Susurkaev rates 68.
Donte Johnson remains undefeated by outlasting Baisangur Susurkaev over 3 rounds to secure a decision victory at UFC 334. The battle of undefeated prospects sees Johnson utilize his well rounded skill set to maintain control.
The Numbers
Donte Johnson carries a FightIQ rating of 76 and Baisangur Susurkaev sits at 68, a gap of 8 points. The model win probability for Donte Johnson stands at 62%, rated Medium confidence.
The Middleweight Collision Course
UFC 334 brings us a fascinating clash of undefeated prospects as 27-year-old Donte Johnson takes on 25-year-old Baisangur Susurkaev. Both men have arrived in the UFC with 3 wins and 0 losses, making this a pivotal contest for their climb up the division. Johnson brings a Southpaw stance and a steady technical approach to the cage. Susurkaev enters with an Orthodox stance and a reputation for high volume striking.
Keys To The Victory
Donte Johnson wins this fight by managing distance and mixing his offensive looks to disrupt his opponent. With a takedown defense of 75% he can effectively shut down the primary entries of the opposition. If Johnson controls the pace and stays disciplined he forces the fight into his preferred flow. He needs to remain active with his 3.11 strikes per minute while ensuring he stays out of range from the heavy output of his adversary.
The Strategy For Susurkaev
Baisangur Susurkaev looks to push the pace and overwhelm the opposition with his 5.97 strikes per minute. He also brings a wrestling threat with 2.28 takedowns per 15 minutes to keep his opponent guessing. By landing early and often he hopes to force Johnson into a defensive shell. His ability to maintain that pressure across 3 rounds will determine if he can hand Johnson his 1st career loss.
Where The Fight Is Decided
This contest will be decided in the transition phases and the management of the clinch. While Susurkaev is more active on the feet Johnson shows better defensive composure and higher striking accuracy at 48%. The defensive metrics indicate that Johnson is harder to hit and more difficult to take down. Whoever wins the battle for center cage will dictate the momentum of the striking exchanges.
The Final Verdict
Our locked pick for this UFC 334 middleweight matchup is Donte Johnson to win by way of decision. We expect this technical battle to go the full distance as both men show the skill to avoid major errors. Johnson has the right defensive tools to mitigate the output of his opponent and score the points needed to earn the judges nod. We feel confident that Johnson continues his perfect 9-0-0 professional run tonight.
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