The upcoming bantamweight contest between Jonathan Martinez and Marcus McGhee at UFC 309 is expected to be one electrifying fight. Both fighters have special skill sets and have shown loads of potential within the Octagon. But when it all comes down, their contrasting styles might just decide the fate of this critical fight.
Jonathan Martinez AKA “Dragon”
Martinez, also more often referred to as “The Dragon,” is a technical wizard who loves to strike. Clever striking combinations with elusive movement make him a nightmare to deal with for anyone in the division. Nobody can set up their attacks precisely with feints and head movements like Martinez. He has a vast array of strikes: powerful kicks and devastating punches.
It is clear, though, that Martinez’s grappling still remains a big question mark; despite flashing moments of submission skills, his ground game simply isn’t as polished as his striking. If McGhee can take it to the floor, he may be able to capitalize on Martinez’s weakness and pull off the victory. The dragon has a professional record of 19-5-0 and lost his most recent fight 6 months ago to José Ado by unanimous decision. He is currently #12 on the BantamW Worldwide ranking.
Marcus McGhee AKA “The Maniac”
McGhee is one of the rising prospects at 61.5 kgs. He is known for his aggressive style which he will constantly use to pressure his adversaries. His powerful striking and explosive takedowns make him a threat to anyone. Being able to control the pace of the fight in his favor and dictate his will to opponents is a large advantage for McGhee.
But McGhee’s careless trait of rushing in could expose him to counterattacks. Martinez, with his superior striking accuracy and defensive skill, could capitalize on the oncoming McGhee and punish him with precise strikes. The maniac has a professional record of 9-1-0 and is #42 on the BantamW Worldwide ranking. He comes to this fight with an impressive 5 consecutive win streak.
Prediction:
Although both fighters possess the skill set to win this fight, I feel Martinez’s technical superiority and defensive acumen will be what he relies on to see him through the fight. I foresee McGhee’s aggressive style as insufficient to overcome the well-rounded game of Martinez but take nothing away from the former.
The key to victory for Martinez would be the following:
- Distance: Use his long reach (177cm) to keep McGhee away from him and hit him with accurate strikes.
- Movement: Don’t allow himself to be involved in exchanges; pick his shots well.
McGhee isn’t an impressive grappler; if the fight hits the mat, Martinez should be patient and look to find a finish by submission.
To win, McGhee must:
- Set the tone: Dictate the pace of the fight; pressure Martinez.
- Get early takedowns: Take the fight to the mat and hold the position on Martinez.
- Finish the fight: Off the advantage, McGhee needs to capitalize with a finish of the fight.
This ultimately pits two contrasting styles that will nullify each other, or a fighter who can impose his game plan will be the winner. Aggression may be on his side, but once one takes into account McGhee’s technical acumen and defensive skills, he has the edge.
Update
Marcus McGhee AKA The Maniac has gone for almost a year without activity and given the fact that he is 34 years old, I don’t expect him to be as aggressive and tactful as he used to be few years ago! His impressive streak of 5 consecutive wins stands a high chance of coming to an end against the Dragon – Jonathan Martinez who is sharper and a more complete fighter.
Martinez has greater technical and defensive abilities than his opponent. Plus, he also boasts of a better average takedown accuracy of 35% compared to 33% for Marcus. If the game gets to the ground, Martinez will easily win.
Many top punters are backing Martinez in this fight, and I’ll do same. The bookie odds for this market are around 2.210 and worth the wager, so, sign up for an account on the best betting platform today to join the winners.
And just in case you are not a fan of MMA bets, navigate to our tips section where we share predictions on multiple sports and pick the ones that suit you. Good luck!