Efrain Escudero vs Evan Dunham Fight Prediction – Fight Night 20

EVAN DUNHAM vs. EFRAIN ESCUDERO

 

Fight Overview:  Two very skilled Lightweight grapplers will try to take the next step in the Lightweight division as Xtreme Couture’s Evan Dunham squares off with Ultimate Fighter Season Eight winner Efrain Escudero.

 

Dunham’s Strengths:  Dunham has excellent submissions and submission defense.  His wrestling is also very good, and he has solid boxing with knockout power.

 

Dunham’s Weaknesses:  Although he is early in his career, Dunham hasn’t shown many weaknesses so far.  Every time he has stepped up in competition, he has proven himself able to handle it.

 

Escudero’s Strengths:  Escudero’s strengths are very similar to Dunham’s.  His submission game is top-notch, and he has good wrestling and crisp, powerful boxing.

 

Escudero’s Weaknesses:  Much like Dunham, Escudero hasn’t shown any real holes in his game so far.  The fact that both fighters have looked so solid in all of their fights is what makes this fight so compelling.

 

The Verdict:  Both guys have similar unbeaten records and very similar styles.  Dunham has fought slightly better competition, and comes from a slightly better camp, but that is the only clear advantage either man will bring in to the Octagon, at least on paper.  That said, I think Dunham will take this one.  Dunham represents Escudero’s toughest challenge to date, while Dunham is coming off a win over Marcus Aurelio, a very accomplished veteran who is stylistically similar to Escudero.  Look for Dunham to pull off a third straight upset, controlling the standup and scoring points with takedowns en route to a decision win.

 

Prediction: Evan Dunham by unanimous decision.