Johan Lainesse vs Justin Burlinson
- Johan Lainesse
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 12-4 grappler. Beat a 4-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Lainesse has average striking (50) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Justin Burlinson
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a 9-1 grappler.
- Tools: Burlinson has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).
I wasn’t that impressed with either of these guys. They both struggled in their last fights, against average competition. Burlinson fought a 9-1 wrestler. Got taken down in the 1st, couldn’t get back up. The striking was close to equal, but he landed a KO shot. And with Lainesse, he fought a 12-4 wrestler. Fight was on the feet, opponent had 50 striking at best and Lainesse was arguably losing the fight until he landed a body shot that suddenly ended the fight. It’s possible that Lainesse has 45 striking. It’s possible that Lainesse will take Burlinson down and control him most of the fight. But the most likely outcome is that the fight stays on the feet long enough for Burlinson to win by out striking Lainesse.
Chris’ Pick: Burlinson by split decision.
Jonas Bilharinho vs Canaan Kawaihae
- Jonas Bilharinho
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 8-1-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 9-2 fighter, a 9-1 striker, and an 8-3 wrestler. Split decision over a 9-1 striker.
- Tools: Bilharinho has above average striking (60) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Canaan Kawaihae
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 8-1 fighter. Beat a well rounded 3-0 fighter.
- Tools: Kawaihae has average striking paired with below average power (50-40). He also has grappling that’s a little above average (55).
Bilharinho is the type of prospect that I bet on in The Contender. If you watch him, his talent is obvious. No doubt 60 striking. Kawaihae has been on The Contender before. Lost to Chase Hooper. Had some success with the striking but was taken down repeatedly and out grappled. It’s possible his grappling could be a 50, but either way, I know Bilharinho is going to come in with a massive power advantage.
Chris’ Pick: Bilharinho by 1st round knockout.
Achilles Estremadura vs Maheshate Maheshate
- Achilles Estremadura
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Beat an 8-3 wrestler.
- Tools: Estremadura has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
- Maheshate Maheshate
- Age: 21
- Pro Record: 5-1
- Tools: Maheshate has fringe average striking (45) and average wrestling (50).
This is a tough fight for me to bet on because I couldn’t find any film on Maheshate. So it’s possible my grades on him could be off by a little bit as I only went off the data. But I am confident that Estremadura’s striking is a 55 and that should be good enough to get the job done.
Chris’ Pick: Estremadura by 2nd round knockout.
Zhifa Shang vs Juan Puerta
- Zhifa Shang
- Age: 35
- Pro Record: 32-7
- Key Wins: Submitted Denys Bondar, a 7-0 grappler, a 6-1 grappler, and a well rounded 6-2 fighter. Knocked out an 11-3 grappler. Split decision over Zhalgas Zhumagulov.
- Tools: Zhifa has striking that’s a little above average paired with fringe average power (55-45). He also has above average grappling (60).
- Juan Puerta
- Age: 33
- Pro Record: 22-6
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 6-1 wrestler. Beat a 5-1 wrestler and a 10-2 grappler.
- Tools: Puerta has average striking paired with below average power (50-40). He also has average grappling (50).
Zhifa is one of these rare fighters that comes on The Contender and already has not 1, but 2 wins over current UFC fighters in Bondar and Zhumagulov. I watched Puerta take on a 5-1 wrestler and I really wasn’t that impressed. Zhifa is better everywhere and has two paths to victory.
Chris’ Pick: Zhifa by decision.
Lun Qiu vs Erisson Ferreira da Silva
- Lun Qiu
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 13-7
- Key Losses: Knocked out by a 1-2 fighter. Split decision loss to a 6-4 fighter.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-1 fighter.
- Tools: Lun has average striking (50) and fringe average wrestling (45).
- Erisson Ferreira da Silva
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 10-1
- Tools: Ferreira da Silva has striking that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average wrestling (45).
Striker vs striker. First thing to know about da Silva is all 10 of his wins have came by KO and he fights at 125 lbs. And even though he has zero quality wins, that’s still very rare and impressive. He fought a 9-4 striker with 50 striking in his last fight. It was close after the first round, they went at a frantic pace. But da SIlva showed he has good cardio, outlasted his opponent and got the TKO win. I watched Lun fight a 8-0 wrestler. Lun lost because he couldn’t stop the take downs. But on the feet, he did okay. His striking could be a 55. But I think either way, da Silva’s power will be the difference.
Chris’ Pick: da Silva by 2nd round knockout.