Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 2

Michael Lombardo vs. Kyle Daukaus

Lombardo is a high-level athlete. The former NCAA football player is the current Friction Fighting championship middleweight titleholder. “The Don” is a veteran of Titan Fighting Championship and flaunts an impressive 8-1 professional record, with wins in each of his last five fights. The American Top Team rep is a well-rounded fighter who mixes takedowns with his standup. The 29-year-old is a serviceable striker but makes up for his lack of technique with crushing power. He likes to back up his opponent with high pressure, which helps set up his takedowns. He gets his opponent down with either outside entries or nice trips from the clinch. Once on top, the Florida native is active with his ground-and-pound and looks to punish his counterparts with every strike. He can get too aggressive to the point of being a little sloppy, at times losing dominant positions while he attacks. Lombardo is not much of a submission threat off of his back, but does a solid job of creating scrambles to work back to his feet. His submission attacks usually happen when he defends takedown attempts by pursuing the neck with guillotine and brabo chokes. The most glaring weakness in Lombardo’s game might be his cardio. He uses a lot of explosive movements, a tendency that has drained his gas tank in the past.

Though he was only 5-5 as an amateur, Daukaus has amassed a perfect 6-0 professional record. The undefeated fighter is the current Cage Fury Fighting Championships middleweight titleholder and is coming off of a win over UFC veteran Jonavin Webb. The Philadelphia-based fighter is a southpaw who likes to stalk his opponents with technical striking. The 26-year-old pumps a fast jab and cracks his adversaries with his sniper-like left hand. Daukaus remains relaxed while picking apart his opponents, only unloading powerful shots when openings present themselves. He generates good power because he sits on his punches. He attacks with tons of kicks, but they are secondary to his fast hands. Daukaus makes the mistake of keeping his hands low, which has led to his being hit and rocked in past fights. The Martinez Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu export is an excellent grappler who loves to attack the neck in scrambles with guillotine and brabo chokes. All six of his professional wins have come by submission. The undefeated fighter is willing to compromise his position while trying to find a fight-ending submission. His chief weakness might be his inability to get off of his back, and he has slowed down in grappling-heavy matches before.

This might be the most difficult fight to peg because both men have significant strengths and weaknesses. Lombardo is an explosive but unpolished striker, while Daukaus is technically savvy but does not wow anybody with his athleticism. The Philadelphia native might struggle with Lombardo’s wrestling game but should have his way if he can keep the fight on the feet. Expect Daukaus to land more shots, giving him a close unanimous decision. However, his inability to finish this one means he will not get signed by the UFC.

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