Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 1

Brok Weaver vs. Leon Shahbazyan

Editor’s note: the Weaver-Shahbazyan fight was cancelled Monday morning, according to a report from MMAJunkie.

Weaver is a Native American who has competed in the Titan Fighting Championship and Island Fights organizations. He holds a 13-4 professional MMA record and has competed in both professional boxing and bareknuckle boxing. He is surging, having won his last six fights. Weaver has fought at lightweight and welterweight throughout his career but will be battling in the larger weight class in this bout. “Chata Tuska” is a southpaw who is known for his striking. The 27-year-old throws fast punches, which he sets up with feints and by grabbing at his opponent’s hands. He works behind a snapping jab and a right hook. In the past, Weaver has shown too much patience and not thrown enough strikes -- a tendency that has made him less-than-scintillating to watch. He has exhibited a little more urgency with his pressure of late and put on much better performances as a result. Weaver has good head movement that makes him hard to hit, but he does not handle pressure well, often backing up straight to the cage. The Alabama native will attempt takedowns and is a serviceable submission threat, but his strength lies on the feet.

It is difficult to get a strong grasp on Shahbazyan’s game, as there is not much film of his previous fights available. The elder brother of UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan is a long welterweight who uses his size well. The Glendale Fight Club representative is a well-rounded fighter with a 100 percent finish rate. Carrying a 7-1 record, he keeps his opponents on the end of his punches and has nice snap on his strikes. The 23-year-old throws hard kicks to the legs and has the ability to sneak one to the head if his opponent is not ready. Shahbazyan is a grappling specialist, as he has six wins by way of submission. He is so confident off of his back that he can give up takedowns too easily, but he does a good job of attacking with a submission or scrambling to his feet.

Due to the lack of film on Shahbazyan makes this one difficult to call. However, Weaver’s low output and Shahbazyan’s size advantage and ability on the ground has me leaning his way. Shahbazyan by third-round submission is the pick.

Finish Reading » Soriano vs. Pickett