The main event in Las Vegas features a bantamweight showdown between two fighters who are familiar with kicks and their associated counters.
Known for his dynamic kicks, [auttotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag] is a smooth operator who can fight from different stances.
An excellent lateral mover, Gutierrez can change the direction of his offense or access exits for defensive purposes. Gutierrez is also good about utilizing feints to both cover his tracks and set up attacks.
From hip feints to prodding jabs, Gutierrez does a good job of gathering intel on his opposition as he establishes his distance.
Although Gutierrez is more than happy to pick away at his opponent’s legs and body from range, “El Guapo” is not afraid to come forward in
combination when feeling in stride.
Fight Study: Chris Gutierrez habits against Alatengheili
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— 9h6st21 (@9h6st21) December 6, 2023
When looking to counter, Gutierrez keeps a sneaking spinning backfist in his back pocket, but I’m not sure how flashy the 32-year-old will get with the counters of Song Yadong waiting in the wings.
Starting his martial arts journey at the legendary Shaolin temple, Yadong makes for a unique fighter given the historical spectrum of combat arts that he’s been exposed to. That said, there isn’t too much traditional swagger in Yadong’s style to speak of given that the Chinese fighter seems to favor more boxing and kickboxing-centric weapons.
Whether Yadong is staying planted or opting for more fencing-like footwork, the 26-year-old does a decent job of staying on balance and looking for his spots to explode. Yadong has excellent eyes in exchanges that – coupled with his incredible speed – make him a formidable puncher both coming forward and off the counter.
Fight Study of Song Yadong habits against Ricky Simon
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— 9h6st21 (@9h6st21) December 6, 2023
Yadong is also an excellent kicker himself, but I doubt we’ll see him hang out in that range more than he needs to given where Gutierrez’s strengths lay.
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie