Ronaldo Souza vs. Chris Camozzi 2: A Full Head-to-Toe Breakdown
On the doorstep of an unprecedented comeback, former UFC veteran Chris Camozzi will make his Octagon return this Saturday at UFC on Fox 15.
The fact that he will take on divisional standout and consensus top contender Ronaldo Souza on just six days' notice adds to the middleweight's surprise comeback.
Remember, Camozzi and Souza met once before, colliding in a May 2013 showdown that left Jacare victorious via first-round submission in his promotional debut.
Now while that defeat started Camozzi on a four-fight losing streak in the UFC, which led to his departure in 2014, the opportunistic 28-year-old has since recorded two first-round finishes on the open circuit.
Needless to say, Souza will be a heavy favorite in the rematch and a guy who is arguably one win away from a title shot.
Here is the head-to-toe breakdown for Saturday's co-main event.
Striking Precision
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Camozzi is not the most skillfully inclined striker in the division today, but he is able to utilize good combinations, solid technique and a background in muay thai to get the job done.
Having outpointed the likes of Lorenz Larkin and Rafael Natal, Camozzi has shown the ability to pick his shots against fighters who lack superior striking.
Now while Souza has developed his fluidity and technique over his past few fights, his evolution remains in the works.
Not to mention Camozzi was able to mix things up early in their first encounter, thanks to Souza's big frame and telegraphed approach.
He'll have to keep his distance even more this time around, but Camozzi should find success around the edges.
ADVANTAGE: CAMOZZI
Punching Power
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There's no arguing that Souza is one of the more physically imposing athletes in the game today.
His relative speed and overwhelming strength make him an odds-on favorite to bully his opponent anytime he steps inside of the cage.
But with a lackluster track record of turning that raw ability into knockout power, Jacare fails in comparison to many other players at 185 pounds.
Camozzi just so happens to be one of those aforementioned entities, having never been knocked out in his career. He's also the owner of six finishes via strikes.
Souza's punching power has certainly surfaced over the past few years, but Camozzi is one of those guys who always rises to the top in a dogfight.
SLIGHT ADVANTAGE: CAMOZZI
Wrestling
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Souza is undoubtedly one of the best wrestlers in the middleweight division.
He currently resides alongside the likes of champion Chris Weidman, Yoel Romero, Tim Kennedy and CB Dollaway, having recorded 24 total takedowns since 2010 without being taken down himself.
That's pretty impressive, considering Jacare has matched up against some of the best athletes in the sport during that span.
As for Camozzi, who has failed to record at least one takedown throughout his 12-fight UFC career, wrestling is the furthest thing from his comfort zone.
Souza's results this Saturday opposite Camozzi should not vary from his norm, assuming he can grab a hold of the veteran and dodge any inside knees and uppercuts that come his way.
And considering the Brazilian only needed one takedown last time around to submit Camozzi within minutes, he should be more than willing to bring the fight to the ground again in the rematch.
MAJOR ADVANTAGE: SOUZA
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Grappling
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With some of the best grappling skills in mixed martial arts as a whole, Souza is on an entirely different level than Camozzi.
Sure, Camozzi has ended a few fights via submission and possesses the knowledge and know-how to scrap on the ground, but Jacare is the godfather of grappling.
With 15 career victories by way of submission, the former Strikeforce champion has choked and locked his way to the top of the sport.
No wonder why he's known as Jacare, which is Brazilian for alligator.
He will probably never lose by submission and is a threat to end a fight anytime he gets his hands on an opponent.
MAJOR ADVANTAGE: SOUZA
Intangibles
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At this point in his career, Souza simply has more to offer than Camozzi.
That includes his finishing ability, athleticism and overall potential within a top-heavy middleweight division.
Camozzi is no slouch inside of the Octagon, possessing worthwhile striking and above-average adaptation, but he doesn't quite stack up to the level of intangibles that Jacare incorporates.
From surprise knockout punches to time-stopping submissions, Souza has manifested his game into a well-rounded machine.
Camozzi does edge him out in a few departments, but there's a belief around the Brazilian's prominent rise that can't be squandered by anyone not holding a belt.
In other words, Souza will do what he has to do in order to book his ticket to the promised land.
ADVANTAGE: SOUZA
Verdict
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Based on divisional potential, current momentum and their initial meeting, all signs point to Souza yet again capturing a victory over Camozzi.
The circumstances are different this time around considering Camozzi is coming in hot on just six days' notice, but that still shouldn't be enough to catch the Brazilian off guard.
If Jacare can do exactly what he did last time around and implement his ground game early, then Camozzi's chances of pulling off the upset dwindle beyond recognition.
But if Camozzi can somehow score a good first round, grind out the second and stay off his back in the third, he could sneak by with a split-decision victory.
However, that outcome is highly unlikely and something that would truly throw the UFC middleweight division for a loop.
VERDICT: SOUZA VIA SECOND-ROUND SUBMISSION
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