Oleinik vs Spivak Analysis and Prediction
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Aleksei Oleinik (59-15-1) vs Sergey Spivak (12-2)
Heavyweight (265)
Aleksei Oleinik
Forty-three years old, huge gas tank problems and on a two-fight stoppage slide, what is there to get excited about? Well bucko, Oleinik still remains one of the greatest first-round threats at Heavyweight. Most of the Russian’s conditioning issues stem from Oleinik latching onto the first submission available and pouring everything into securing it. As a result. if Oleinik fails to find the victory in the first round, his output drops drastically and he is forced to engage in sloppy overhands thrown from behind his back – as seen against an equally out of shape Fabricio Werdum.
Sergey Spivak
Physically, Spivak can’t count on any sort of freak athleticism to cruise past his ageing foe. Instead, the big goofy Moldovan will have to grind out his chain-wrestling approach after riding an early barrage from his elderly foe. Having debuted against Walt Harris with almost no striking to speak about, Spivak has made huge strides to make the most of his reach and begin to probe with a jab. While it isn’t a comfortable part of Spivak’s game, it is still a useful tool that will enable the twenty-six-year-old to break some of Oleinik’s overhand blitzes. Consistency, deep gas tank and persistent wrestling are stellar attributes in such a poor division.
Predicted Result: Spivak Decision
Forty-three years old, huge gas tank problems and on a two-fight stoppage slide? No worries for Aleksei Oleinik. The Russian’s first-round barrage of goofy overhands and willingness to expend everything into the first available submission opportunity means 75-fight veteran remains a stark threat in the UFC. Physically, Spivak can’t count on any sort of freak athleticism to cruise past his ageing foe. Instead, the big Moldovan will have to grind out his chain-wrestling approach after riding an early barrage from his elderly foe. Recently using his reach and jab to greater effect, Spivak should have rounded out his skill-set to the extent where he can ride the early wave of pressure before grinding out the final two rounds.
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