UFC 313 | Southpaw Report
Southpaw Report: UFC 313
Hello and welcome to the ever-popular southpaw report, which can now be found here exclusively at Home of Fight!
Aside from the fact that most statistics you see on major broadcasts are drawn from a faulty well of information full of misinterpretation and human error, the statistical categories discussed generally lack proper sample sizes and contexts.
So, with that in mind, I try to provide unique, applicable and (hopefully) interesting stats in the form of my patent southpaw reports.
Here, I will do my best to provide you with everything from stats to written and visual analysis covering every fighter facing a dedicated southpaw on upcoming UFC cards.
UFC 313 offers a decent slate of listed southpaws, so let’s get started!
Pereira vs Ankalaev | HOF
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira, who faces Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, is officially 2-0 against dedicated, UFC-level southpaws (Wins: Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree Jr.) but has seen the stance plenty in both his MMA and kickboxing career.
Alex Pereira’s southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897611493589586114
Dan Tom | X
Pereira, unlike a lot of orthodox fighters facing southpaws, will still use his jab to go to both the body and the head. “Poatan” is also good about attacking the lead and rear legs in open-stance affairs, a la Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong.
That said, Pereira is not beyond being hit with classic southpaw cross-hook counters when throwing kicks. Southpaw body kicks also appear to be a common culprit throughout Pereira’s combat sports career.
Alex Pereira’s southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897612152309231781
Dan Tom | X
However, in more recent fights with southpaws, Pereira smartly leaned more into his jab given the brief moments of success that his opponents had countering his kicks. And against Rountree Jr., Pereira eventually got comfortable enough to start organically flowing into inside angles and pull-counters.
Alex Pereira’s southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897613375007232222
Dan Tom | X
My prediction: Despite the grappling being the biggest question mark that people are focusing on for this fight, many forget that Ankalaev has largely been a striker for the majority of his UFC career – – and a pretty good striker at that.
The potential problem, however, is that Ankalaev is lacking in both his kicking defense and counters to kicks (which are two crucial keys for anyone facing Pereira).
Ankalaev does have decent jab counters that will be worth watching for, and no one should be shocked if he’s able to get a round or two off of Pereira via his underutilized grappling game. That said, I’m siding with Pereira to land the more damaging blows down the stretch for a close and contentious decision win.
Marcel Dorff | X
Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos
Iasmin Lucindo, who faces Amando Lemos at UFC 313, is officially 1-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws.
Although Lemos fights more from orthodox than southpaw these days, I still wanted to look at Lucindo’s game in open-stance affairs.
Iasmin Lucindo’s southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897614287201595452
Dan Tom | X
Aside from Lucindo getting spin-happy anytime someone tries to angle to her weak side, the Brazilian’s game largely remains the same. That said, her hardwiring to counter kicks will likely come in handy when it comes to limiting Lemos’ arsenal.
My prediction: Although Lucindo’s defense is a bit raw and porous, she shows a rock-solid chin and excellent takedown instincts to boot.
Couple that with Lucindo’s potent counters and grappling advantages, and I suspect that she can outwork Lemos to a decision win.
Turner vs Bahamondes | HOF
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Jalin Turner
Ignacio Bahamondes, who faces southpaw Jalin Turner at UFC 313, is officially 0-1 against dedicated, UFC-level southpaws (losing to Ludovit Klein) but does own a victory over a stance-switching Manuel Torres.
Like many orthodox fighters facing southpaws, Bahamondes appears to go into a bit of a countering mode when posed with this stance.
Ignacio Bahamondes’ southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897616189653955003
Dan Tom | X
Bahamondes will still switch stances to land his offense, but classic hook-cross counters are his common culprit when fighting southpaws.
My prediction: Despite initially leaning toward Bahamondes to win, my opinion was swayed after watching the tape.
Even though Turner is coming off a rough loss where he imploded after failing to find the finish, I see the American’s speed, length and shot selection providing some serious problems for Bahamondes from a stylistic standpoint.
Add in the fact that Turner could also quietly have a grappling edge in this fight, and I can’t help but take a flier on him to get back on track as the underdog.
The pick is Turner by club-and-sub in Round 1.
Marcel Dorff | X
Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
Joshua Van, who faces Rei Tsuruya at UFC 313, is officially 0-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws but does own a win over a stance-switching Zhalgas Zhumagulov.
Joshua Van’s southpaw report: https://x.com/DanTomMMA/status/1897617020340093186
Dan Tom | X
Van’s sample size in open-stance affairs is limited, but the native of Myanmar does not discriminate when it comes to attacking all three levels of his opposition, regardless of stance. Van will also jab and flow into pull-counters the more comfortable he gets.
My Prediction: Between the obvious grappling dynamic that Tsuruya brings to the table to his propensity to draw opponents in with pull-counters, we could see another slow start from Van.
For that reason, this fight has a decent shot of playing out much closer than the odds are indicating.
However, akin to the co-main event, I have a hard time siding with a fighter from the other side of the world who is taking this fight on short notice.
The pick is Van by unanimous decision.
This concludes the southpaw report for UFC Vegas 313. Be sure to check back here on UFC fight weeks for this report and more.
Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!
