A featherweight fight between Sean Soriano and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke is scheduled to take place on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 198.
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The start of Sean Soriano’s MMA career was great. He made his professional debut in 2009 and went undefeated for his first eight fights. However, things took a turn for the worse as he went on a 1-5 skid and three losses came in the UFC.
The promotion re-signed him, on the back of a three-fight win streak, but he lost his return fight in the second round via submission. As his back is against the wall, he would want to put on a strong show and stop his losing run in the UFC.
‘Wolverine,’ before being picked up by the UFC, was on an impressive run. He was 7-1 and before making his octagon debut, but it didn’t exactly work out for him. He lost the fight via unanimous decision to Joshua Culibao. His opponent outclassed him on the feet and took home the W. Hence, ‘Wolverine’ would consider this a must-win fight.
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UFC Fight Night 198: Sean Soriano vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
Going into the fight, Soriano is definitely the better striker. He has the advantage on his feet. However, submissions and grappling are his weakness. Five out of his seven losses have come via submission. But he showed some good takedown defense in his last fight.
His striking accuracy in the UFC stands at 61 percent, so if he manages to not get taken down, he will have the advantage. He is currently 14-7 in his career and will have a one-inch reach advantage.
‘Wolverine’ is 19-7 in his career and has won seven of his last nine fights. Coming off a loss in his last fight, after being dominated on the feet, he would love to take the fight to the ground early. He has five wins by submission in his career and looks to clinch and grapple. The reach disadvantage will also be a factor, and he would need the takedowns to control the fight.
It is a striker vs. a grappler, but the massive difference in the striking department can come back and hurt Nuerdanbieke.
Prediction: Sean Soriano wins in the second round via TKO.
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