Robbie Ring vs. Luis Pajuelo Prediction: Can Ring Impress in Week Three of the Contender Series?

Robbie Ring vs. Luis Pajuelo Prediction: Can Ring Impress in Week Three of the Contender Series?

Dana White's Contender Series is already in week three, and there are some electrifying matchups on tonight's shorter card. Weight cuts and injuries have rendered the card a bit weak at only four fights, but there are some great fights on this card, action-wise, starting with Robbie King versus Luis Lajuelo.

Robbie Ring vs. Luis Pajuelo Prediction

While this will not be a very high-level fight, there will still be plenty of action. Both men are coming in on fairly short notice to be the fourth fight on the card, and they get to open this Tuesday night card for us. Robbie King, at 23 years old, is still young and looking to make his mark with a record of 6-0. While undefeated, he has not faced very high-level competition. While Luis Pajuelo is a bit older at 28 years old, he has also faced a very low level of competition and may actually be one of the lowest-level fighter we have seen this season coming in.

At just 23 years old, Robbie Ring is still progressing in MMA and is still in a newer stage. What he may lack in experience, he makes up for with his grappling prowess. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Ring's submissions have become his trademark. His D'Arce choke is a force to be reckoned with, often catching opponents off guard and leading to quick tap-outs. It's evident that his ground game is his strongest suit, showcasing his ability to transition and secure submissions swiftly.

However, Ring's striking leaves much to be desired. His striking exchanges are merely a way into clinches to initiate takedowns, and he has shown vulnerability to absorbing hits. Ring also has been lackluster in initiating his takedowns, as he was outwrestled in his last fight by a debuting fighter. Ring was still able to find a submission from the bottom, but this will not work as well against UFC-caliber opponents. The good news for him is that Pajuelo is not a UFC-level opponent.

On the opposite side of the cage stands 28-year-old Luis Pajuelo, known for his aggressive and relentless striking style. With a 7-1 professional record, Pajuelo is a fighter who throws caution to the wind, willingly taking shots to land his right hook that puts opponents to sleep with one shot. His strategy revolves around pressuring opponents and pushing them against the cage, creating openings for his powerful strikes. Pajuelo's confidence in his power and aggressive approach is evident in the first round, as he hunts for finishes in every exchange.

While aggressiveness is a strength for Pajuelo, it is also his biggest weakness. He focuses too much on landing his power shots that he leaves his chin open and his hands low. He swings wildly and loads up on his strikes, leaving counter opportunities on the table. This can also lead to a counter-takedown attempt, which is surely what Ring will be looking for.

This is a classic striker versus grappler matchup, as Ring has little-to-no skill on the feet, and Pajuelo is a fish out of water on the ground. With that being said, it feels inevitable that Pajuelo finds the mark early with one of those huge hooks he throws, or Ring finds the takedown and forces Pajuelo to tap within 60 seconds from there. Pajuelo does not have great cardio, as he puts everything into his shots from the first strike he throws. Ring can wait out his first few flurries and probably tire him out and submit him from there as well. Either way, both fighters have a somewhat easy and obvious path to victory in which each of them can end the fight early. The play, therefore, is the under for me. We're also getting plus money on this, which feels too good to pass up.

Robbie Ring vs. Luis Pajuelo Pick

Pick: Robbie Ring/Luis Pajuelo Under 1.5 Rounds +120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick