Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 4

Lance Lawrence vs. Kevin Syler

Lawrence steps in the cage without having suffered a single setback in his career. After compiling an 8-0 amateur record, he has rattled off five straight victories to start his professional career. He has won all five of his fights by way of submission and even holds a 24-second victory over Jonathan Pearce, who earned a UFC contract on the July 9 episode of DWCS. He is a tall featherweight at 6-foot. The Hardrock MMA fighter fights like a man possessed. He steps on the gas pedal and hardly ever lets up. He can be so aggressive with his striking that he almost runs at his opponents if they ever back away from him. He swings wildly but does have some nice speed in his punches. He does lose some power because he throws strikes from his hips, but he can still floor his opponent if he connects in the perfect spot. His reckless-abandon style leaves him open to be hit, but he has shown great heart to continue to attack while under duress. Lawrence’s grappling is the cornerstone of his game. The Louisville, Kentucky, native mixes in takedowns but is not a high-level wrestler. However, if he manages to get the fight to the canvas, he is quite dangerous. The 26-year-old has slick back takes, constantly looks for neck attacks and does well at winning scrambles. He can find the submission from his back but really struggles to get back to his feet from the bottom. This can be an issue, as he is a poor defensive wrestler. The undefeated fighter’s gas tank is also a major question mark because he has not reached the third round in his professional career.

Syler is trying to punch his own ticket into the UFC. Like his opponent, the 25-year-old younger brother of UFC veteran Bentley Syler is a perfect 8-0 as a professional and was 7-0 as an amateur. The Bolivian also has professional boxing and kickboxing experience. The American Top Team member is a poised striker but works at a much slower pace than Lawrence. He is a counterstriker who throws straight punches down the pipe. He enjoys working from the outside and throwing a spinning attack but needs to improve on his defense when he is being pressured. He likes to switch stances to find different angles and has good technique but lacks serious power. Syler does have some good dirty boxing in the clinch. The South American fighter has good timing on his takedown attempts and smothers his opponent with heavy top pressure. “El Nini Bala” is a smooth grappler and has ended five of his fights by way of submission. Syler constantly looks to end fights by attacking the head with guillotine and brabo chokes. If he cannot get a submission, Syler unleashes heavy ground-and-pound.

This is a difficult fight to pick. Both fighters have potential but they have a number of areas that need growth. Neither man is closed to being a finished product. Lawrence’s aggression should give Syler some trouble, but his lack of takedown defense could lead to his undoing. The fact that Syler trains at American Top Team should provide him with the edge he needs to earn a unanimous decision with heavy top control.

Next Fight » Mayes vs. Prasel