Jimi Manuwa (13-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Ryan Jimmo (18-2, 2-1 UFC)
Fireworks are in order for the light heavyweight division as sluggers Manuwa and Jimmo meet with both looking for their third win in the UFC. Manuwa is undefeated in his career with a 13-0 record, and all of those wins have come by stoppage. He defeated Cyrille Diabate at UFC On FUEL TV 7 in February in his last bout. Jimmo looks for his first win streak in the UFC as he looks to build on a decision win over Igor Pokrajac at UFC 161 in June. Jimmo is 18-1 over his last 19 fights since starting off his career with a loss.
Fight Breakdown- Manuwa has been on a path of destruction during his career and has left his opponents laying in all 13 of his professional fights. He has won by stoppage in all of those bouts with twelve wins coming by knockout and one by submission. Better yet for him, he has only been past the first round three times in his career, so he ends fights violently and quickly. He was signed to the UFC following going 11-0, and both of his fights inside the Octagon have taken place in England. His UFC debut came against a very tough fighter in Kyle Kingsbury, and it was an excellent performance from Manuwa as he battered Kingsbury throughout two rounds which forced the doctors to stop the fight after the second round. Kingsbury suffered such a beating that it has, for the moment, put him into retirement. His second bout against Cyrille Diabate also ended from a stoppage, but this was due to an injury as Diabate injured himself trying to avoid a beating from Manuwa. It may have also been the last time we’ve seen Diabate as well. Manuwa has made that much of an impact.
Jimmo signed with the UFC after putting together a 16-fight win streak. He once tried to get into the UFC by going through “The Ultimate Fighter”, but that path didn’t work out for him. Instead, he got in the old-fashioned way: by winning fights. His wins weren’t always the prettiest or the most exciting fights, but it got him signed to the UFC nonetheless. His UFC debut was the complete opposite of what he showed beforehand as he knocked out Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds at UFC 149 in June 2012, one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. It gave Jimmo instant recognition and extended his win streak to 17 straight. That ended in his next bout, though, as he dropped a decision to James Te Huna at UFC On FUEL TV 7 in February. He got back into the win column by scoring a decision over Igor Pokrajac at UFC 161 in June. It was a look back to his pre-UFC fights as it was a very uneventful fight, but Jimmo admitted he did what he needed to do to score the win as that was what was most important to him. Jimmo looks to get back to his knockout ways in an explosive bout against the heavy-handed Manuwa.
Manuwa is a very aggressive striker with devastating power and is good with punches, knees and kicks. He utilizes all aspects of his striking and unloads with significant damage on his opponents. Jimmo is built like a brick house and is very crisp and powerful, and while he shines on his feet, Manuwa is a beast on the feet and the superior striker of the two. It may force Jimmo to mix in his takedown game as he can take Manuwa down, but Manuwa can land vicious punches in close range. Manuwa has a very solid Muay Thai attack though Jimmo has a background in karate. Jimmo would be best served pushing the pace of the fight and wearing down Manuwa if he can as Manuwa hasn’t had to taste the deep waters of the third round. It’s hard to say if Manuwa can stand going the full 15 minutes, but that is just because he hasn’t had to go that far yet due to his explosive power.
This fight will be like watching two freight trains on a collision course and something is going to give. Jimmo had Te Huna in trouble early when they fought, but Te Huna was able to survive and make the comeback to win the fight. If he does the same to Manuwa, perhaps he won’t be as patient this time around and will be going for the finish. Jimmo had a very boring outing last time out, and it was enough to where it would make you wonder if he’ll be cut with another loss. An exciting outing will change all that, and he has a perfect match-up with Manuwa to make for an exciting bout. I have a hard time seeing this one going the distance unless Jimmo completely shuts Manuwa down with a takedown attack. Manuwa is just so relentless and aggressive on the feet that unless he gets caught, we could be in store for yet another knockout win from him. I see him finishing Jimmo in the second round, and it will hopefully be fun while it lasts.
Why It Matters- The winner could make huge strides in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Both have the chance to establish themselves as contenders though Manuwa has more potential upside. Jimmo would love to be the man to end Manuwa’s undefeated streak, but that is easier said than done. Manuwa always fights with a lot of confidence in front of his home country fans, and a win could set him up with a top ten opponent, perhaps Mauricio Rua should he defeat James Te Huna in December. The winner will firmly establish themselves as a threat at 205 pounds.
Prediction- Manuwa
