| Tale of the Tape | Roque Conceição |
Alexander Chavez
|
|---|---|---|
| Record | 11-3 | 9-0 |
| Age | 26 | 25 |
| Height | 5’4″ | 5’6″ |
| Reach | 67.0″ | ? |
| Hometown | Sao Paulo, Brazil | Lima, Peru |
| Combined Opp. Record | 51-25 | 46-34 |
| Gym | Revira Black Team | |
| Championships | Demo Fight, Ragnarok | Inka FC |
Shawn Bitter- This is a very fun fight, and I have to give the matchmakers praise. Conceição is someone I don’t mind getting a second opportunity. He had a rough matchup against Imanol Rodriguez but got back on the board with a win over a good fighter, which is more than we see from most returnees. My biggest knock on Conceição is his tendency to head-hunt, but he ended his last fight with a body shot, so he’s making progress.
Chavez doesn’t shy away from bodywork. The Peruvian is a lethal striker with multiple finishes from body shots, using both knees and hooks. Both are primary strikers, and I don’t see either shooting a takedown. Conceição has the edge in power and explosiveness, while Chavez has the technique and weapon advantage. I think Chavez’s bodywork, one-twos, and knees will eventually overwhelm Conceição.
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Pick: Chavez by Round 2 KO/TKO
Cedric Dumas- This should be a fun one if neither guy decides to overcomplicate it. Both flyweights are comfortable standing, but Chavez is the cleaner striker of the two. Hand speed stands out most. He can get combinations going without needing much of a setup, and that could become a major problem for a compact opponent like Junior.
Roque has enough power to make Chavez pay for mistakes, and Revira Black Team is not sending a fighter into this fight just to survive. But the Imanol Rodriguez loss, where Junior was stopped in a round, is still difficult to overlook. Chavez also has some of the traits I tend to trust in fighters coming out of the Pitbull system: solid takedown defense, durability, and a gas tank that should allow his volume to build.
I expect this to be competitive early, but Chavez should gradually take over the striking exchanges and eventually find the finish.
Pick: Chavez to by Round 2 KO/TKO
Nicholas Holt- Despite this week being a little lackluster, this fight is definitely one to watch. Roque Conceição is being brought back after falling to Imanol Rodriguez last season, while Alexander Chavez enters the bout off a second round finish at INKA 55. All signs point to this one being a striking match, and in that case, I’m siding with the power of Roque Conceição. Chavez is good and he should be able pepper the body, but I think Conceição will be the one with the bigger moments.
Pick: Conceição by Decision
Xavi Ryder– Conceição appeared and lost in the last season of Contender Series but is being given another shot after getting back in the win column earlier this year. While he wasn’t able to show it last year, this guy is a dangerous puncher. He does well bouncing in and out of range looking for shots but does his best work in the pocket. If he can get his opponent’s back to the cage or drag them into a brawl, he will unload with power punches. Conceição’s opponent is a dangerous striker in his own right, with six knockouts in nine victories. Chavez is the more composed striker of the two and won’t get quite as wild as Conceição. He does his best work when he pressures guys back and looks for opportunities to counter with combinations. Chavez doesn’t have the same power in his hands, but he does have the faster hands. I see Chavez looking good early and then catching Conceição in round two as he is trying to close the distance.
Pick: Chavez by Round 2 KO/TKO
Drew Beaupre – If they awarded “Fight of the Night” for DWCS cards, this would probably be the pre-event favorite for that honor given the respective styles of both men.
Conceição’s loss to Imanol Rodriguez in his first DWCS fight last year has aged well, given that Rodriguez just picked up his second UFC finish in Salt Lake City, and the Brazilian should have the power advantage in this fight even if Chavez holds the edge in variety of striking weapons. “Penchia” also loves to work the body and has a good gas tank, so things could favor him more the longer this fight goes.
I could absolutely see Chavez taking this fight over if he survives the early pressure and chips away at the body, but I think the power difference will be the deciding factor for Conceição.
Pick: Conceição by Round 2 KO/TKO
Cangrejo Ruiz- What should be a decent striking match; I find myself leaning toward who I expect to be the underdog in Conceição. I think he is more intuitive and sharper; his volume is also better. Chavez is also a decent striker, but he feels one step below in every possible aspect. This is likely going to be back and forth but I expect Conceição to be the winner in most exchanges.
Pick: Conceição by Decision
Benjamin Keith – Even though Chavez has the much cleaner record, I trust what Roque has done more at this point in their careers. On the feet they both are clean, and if it goes to the ground I see Roque having the advantage. As is becoming normal for flyweight, this will be the highest level fight on the card and either guy is live for a finish. While I don’t love Conceição getting a shot so quickly again on the DWCS, I still expect him to pull off the upset here.
Pick: Conceição by Round 2 KO/TKO
