It’s not typically ideal for the UFC to bring in a newcomer with just five pro fights, especially at lightweight where the talent pool is so deep. With Dorsainvil, he’s beaten two good guys in Dan Holt and Cedric Katambwa. He’s also displayed a bit of everything you want to see in a fighter on the come-up. As premature as it may seem bringing him in, I’m gonna say this is an excellent signing.
Dorsainvil’s style is hard to describe in a few words, but I’ll say this: if you have any quit in you at all against Dorsainvil, he will find it and make it come to light. You can’t teach what Dorsainvil has, and that’s that he loves to fight. Dorsainvil has an excellent build at 155, standing at 5’10” with a crazy 76″ reach. When he’s settling on the outside, he uses that reach well with front kicks and frequent jabs. He uses his length even more effectively in his grappling, attacking with front chokes and taking the back before going to work.
On the feet, Dorsainvil isn’t worried about out-pointing his opponent from the outside. He wants to get on the inside and fight dirty. Dorsainvil wants to press the action, stay in your face, and unload in the pocket. It never seems like he’s fighting behind a game plan, but once he’s in that flow state, good luck breaking him out of it. He can sit in the pocket too long, and that’s caused him to get rocked a few times. Still, he’s shown an incredible chin, and as soon as he recovers, he’s right back on the gas. While in the pocket, he’s throwing body shots, right and left hooks, knees, elbows, dipping off the center line, and attacking at angles. From the outside, he’s just as active but a little less frantic. That’s where you’ll see the jabs, front kicks, and an excellent right hand.
Dorsainvil’s wrestling is good and can be a weapon he leans on a bit more, to be fair. He’s good against the cage, chaining together singles and doubles while utilizing body locks. Dorsainvil is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, but more of an opportunistic one. His top control isn’t the best, largely because he can be too overzealous in transitions and when inflicting damage. He’s slick at taking the back, hunting the choke, and landing ground-and-pound. His grappling is best when it’s mixed with his striking and during scrambles.
Dorsainvil’s best part of his game is easily his cardio and pace. “The Drill” was manufactured with two gas pedals and a bottomless gas tank. My UFC comp would be Mason Jones. I’m not confident enough to rank Dorsainvil in the lightweight division, but he has a high ceiling, no doubt.
Vs. Gauge Young
Young has performed better in the UFC than I was anticipating. He’s good everywhere but not great anywhere. He’s the perfect opponent for anyone trying to break through the top 25 of the division. Both Young and Dorsainvil like to strike in the pocket. I value Dorsainvil’s pace and volume compared to anything Young does. Young is good at scoring points and using control to win minutes. Dorsainvil isn’t gonna allow himself to be stalled and will be the one to win moments.
I got Dorsainvil by decision. He could break Young late in the fight but I do think Young is pretty durable enough to see the cards.
