Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at American Marcel Fortuna as he makes his UFC debut against fellow American Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston, Texas. Marcel “Maozinha” Fortuna Hometown: Tuburao, Santa Catarina, Brazil Age: 31 Height: 6’1” Reach: Weight Class: Heavyweight Camp: Ralph Gracie Career Record: 8-1 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Cory Hendricks, Jesse Taylor Background The 31 year old jiu jitsu ace was a 2007 brown belt world champion in jiu jitsu and the Pan American Champion in 2010. Fortuna appeared the 23rd season of The Ultimate Fighter, but lost his fight before making it into the house to fellow UFC light heavyweight Cory Hendricks. Strengths
- Decent lower leg kicks
- Accomplished jiu jitsu practitioner
- Transitions well on the ground
- Decent ground and pound
Weaknesses
- A natural light heavyweight
- Awkward striker
- Lacks knock out power
- Fights a rather slow pace
- Struggles with rangy fighters
Matchup against Anthony Hamilton Anthony Hamilton is certainly not in contention to be a top 15 heavyweight in the UFC, but he is built like a heavyweight at 6’5” and a 76” inch reach. On the flipside, Marcel Fortuna is just 6’1” and is a natural light heavyweight. In a division, where size and strength is of vital importance, Fortuna is at an extreme disadvantage in this bout. On fight day, I expect Hamilton to have a 30-40 pound advantage in the cage plus his height / reach advantages. Fortuna is a very limited striker and his wrestling game is decent at light heavyweight, however I don’t see that transitioning to heavyweight. It will be very hard for Fortuna to take Hamilton to the mat. He will be forced into a standup fight where Hamilton has both a technical and power advantage. Hamilton knocked out a similar sized fighter inside of one minute at UFC 201 and could very well do so again. This is a good betting angle to side with the much bigger fighter with a significant weight advantage. Hamilton is currently lined at -190 and I think that’s a very good potential betting line. Hamilton Inside the Distance (+112) is also worth a bet as I see this as KO / TKO. UFC Ceiling Marcel Fortuna is a gifted jiu jitsu practitioner, but outside of that does not have the all-around game to be a successful mixed martial artist. He’s undersized for heavyweight having fought his entire career at light heavyweight. To have success, he’ll need to be able to control opponents and get them to the floor. He doesn’t have the strength or athleticism to be able to do that consistently at this level of MMA. It’s hard to see Fortuna winning a fight in the UFC. Fight Film Check out Marcel Fortuna in some of his most recent fights: Marcel Fortuna vs. Cory Hendricks Marcel Fortuna vs. Mike Ortega
