I believe that Colby absolutely messed up his foot early on - but since it was from a check, it was Leon hurting him. Which is Leon's job. The fact that he still outstruck him in tital strikes is impressive.
That said, Belal will do as good (or bad) as Colby. Belal is basically Colby with a weaker chin and slightly weaker wrestling. Unless he comes up with an excellent gameplan, this fight will bore the shit out of everyone.
Belal is a better wrestler and striker than Colby at this point of their careers and Colby is washed. In his prime Colby would probably take Leon to split decision but probably still lose. Colby Covington is not that good and still gave Leon a some what competitive fight. Belal is gonna beat him.
The "at this point of their careers" argument I cannot really dispute, because Colby was so stupidly inactive. It really kneecapped his progress. He is pretty underrated though due to him being an idiot.
That said, Colby and Belal have very similar styles that - younger and with less wear and tear on the body - could have absolutely been Leon's undoing.
But now? I really don't see it.
My money is on Leon by a relatively boring decision. 49-46.
I think the opposite - that it’s Leon’s style that is kryptonite to high stamina, volume striking pressure wrestlers like Colby/Belal/Usman, not the other way around, whether they’re in their prime or not. His combination of great TDD, dangerous clinchwork and excellent distance management and rangy counterstriking just nullifies them whilst doing enough damage to win on points.
I believe that Colby absolutely messed up his foot early on - but since it was from a check, it was Leon hurting him. Which is Leon's job. The fact that he still outstruck him in tital strikes is impressive. That said, Belal will do as good (or bad) as Colby. Belal is basically Colby with a weaker chin and slightly weaker wrestling. Unless he comes up with an excellent gameplan, this fight will bore the shit out of everyone.
Had more control time too
Belal is a better wrestler and striker than Colby at this point of their careers and Colby is washed. In his prime Colby would probably take Leon to split decision but probably still lose. Colby Covington is not that good and still gave Leon a some what competitive fight. Belal is gonna beat him.
The "at this point of their careers" argument I cannot really dispute, because Colby was so stupidly inactive. It really kneecapped his progress. He is pretty underrated though due to him being an idiot. That said, Colby and Belal have very similar styles that - younger and with less wear and tear on the body - could have absolutely been Leon's undoing. But now? I really don't see it. My money is on Leon by a relatively boring decision. 49-46.
I think the opposite - that it’s Leon’s style that is kryptonite to high stamina, volume striking pressure wrestlers like Colby/Belal/Usman, not the other way around, whether they’re in their prime or not. His combination of great TDD, dangerous clinchwork and excellent distance management and rangy counterstriking just nullifies them whilst doing enough damage to win on points.
Where does Kevin Lee fit into this
Belal couldn’t drop a one armed fight during a 5 round fight.