Sunday 18 March 2012

Dallas Jakobi vs Jadyson Costa EFC 13 fight preview



On Friday 13 April 2012, the Extreme Fighting Championship will host its inaugural MMA event in Cape Town. EFC 13 will be headlined by an exciting Welterweight match between reigning champion Dallas Jakobi and Brazilian challenger Jadyson Costa, a fight which put the final touches on a new chapter in South African MMA.

Dallas Jakobi (12-5)
Dallas Jakobi overcame much adversity en route his welterweight title. The Gorgeous Boyz fighter was all but out twice against Wade Henderson before he pulled off a remarkable comeback victory, followed by a five round war of attrition with Adam Speechly in their Welterweight title fight at EFC 10. Through this Jakobi has shown that he can never be counted out  and has the heart of a champion.  While Jakobi was able to pull off these impressive victories, the frequency with which he gets himself into trouble it is somewhat concerning, especially on the ground.

Jadyson “Little Wanderlei” Costa (12-12)
After 5 minutes in the Hexagon spanning two fights, Jadyson Costa is still somewhat of an enigma to South African MMA. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt displayed amazing ground skills in submitting both Wade Henderson and James Rennie, but has of yet not been truly tested on the feet or taken into deep water. With a wealth of international fighting experience behind him, and a history of training with top MMA fighters, one must assume that Costa has a complete MMA game.

Fighter Comparison
Though Jadyson Costa has shown no real weakness striking, the stand-up game should favour Dallas Jakobi, who is more aggressive and has real knockout power coupled with a solid chin.  The ground however, is where this fight will get interesting as Jakobi’s trademark ground and pound will be tested against Costa’s high level BJJ game. Due to Jakobi’s apparent susceptibility to submissions, the ground advantage has to go to Jadyson Costa, who is extremely well versed and clinical off his back.
Mentally I believe neither fighter has an advantage as both are very experienced and should be used to the spotlight. Jakobi will feel the pressure to defend his belt, while Costa will feel the pressure of being an international fighter who is expected to win.

Dallas Jakobi vs Jadyson Costa Fight Prediction
Dallas Jakobi will come out the aggressor and want to play to his strengths and keep the fight standing. Jadyson Costa will exchange with the champion, but always look for an opportunity to take the fight to ground. Short of a big Jakobi bomb landing, the fight will eventually go to ground and here is where it gets real. Jakobi has shown brutal ground and pound and will look to work the top position en route a TKO stoppage. Costa however, is just that much sharper off his back than Jakobi’s previous opponents, opponents who have put the champ in precarious situations. I believe Jadyson Costa will sneak in a triangle choke in the closing moments of the first frame to become the new EFC Africa Welterweight champion.

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