There are always debates about American wrestlers and how they fare against Russian wrestlers. Years ago we would find out at an olympic level, but with Russians being banned from the olympics for various reasons and the uprising of high level wrestlers that have never competed, like Dagastanis, we don't really know. this fight will give us a tiny glimpse. Ryan Loder is a D1 wrestler who had a good amount of success. Azamat is also a wrestler, but he's also the more well rounded guy with better hands. While i am very interested in seeing the wrestling scrambles, i do suspect that Azamat gets the first takedown and potentially finishes from there. Azamat is the pick but another fight with crazy odds.
Azamat Bekoev
Azamat Bekoev is a very well rounded guy who made a splash in his UFC debut. He has powerful strikes, solid takedown defense, solid takedowns and solid BJJ. He's good pretty much everywhere. His technique isn't the cleanest and he isn't particularly fast, but he is very powerful and uses that power well. His takedowns are heavy and many of them are slams and his strikes are big right hands. He's a pretty small guy for this weight-class, but he closes distance well with forward pressure and cardio. He is coming off the finish win over Zach Reese in his UFC debut
Ryan Loder
Ryan Loder is a division 1 wrestler and the ultimate fighter champion. In the octagon he is a cautious wrestler who walks forward guaging distance, gets you to back up and then goes all in on the wrestling. He doesn't throw a ton of strikes offensively, but what he will do is plot forward and wait for you to commit to something, as soon you do he will rush forward with an actual takedown attempt or push you against the cage and then work. On the ground he has great control and isn't really looking to finish. Overall he is a good wrestling with solid grappling awareness.
