Light Heavyweight bout: Hans Stringer (-165) vs Lew Polley (+125) Fight Breakdown: The WSOF 4 preliminary card features a light heavyweight match-up between 26 year old Dutch veteran Hans Stringer and Orange County’s Lew Polley. Stringer is currently the small favorite at -165 ($165 to win $100) while Polley is the small underdog at +125 ($100 to win $125) at Several Bookmakerss. Hans Stringer (21-5 MMA, 0-0 WSOF) makes his WSOF debut, carrying with him a four fight win streak. Stringer hit the regional circuit at 18 years of age and has been somewhat of a force in the light heavyweight division, racking up 9 wins by TKO/KO and 8 by submission, with only 4 via decision. Hans Stringer isn’t the best striker but he can definetly hold his own, especially against fighters who have not been strikers since childhood. He throws decent combinations and is technical. He posesses good head movement and a solid chin. Stringer has a very good ground game. He has good takedowns; he changes levels really well. His defensive game on the ground is also impressive, as he is threatening off his back. His goal in this match-up would to be keep it standing, though. He does not want to be taken down by a talented wrestler like Lew Polley. He wants to keep this on the feet and outstrike him, possibly knock him out. Lew Polley (12-4 MMA, 0-0 WSOF) makes his promotional and light heavyweight debut in his home-state of California on the verge of a two fight win streak. Polley is a very strong wrestler with powerful takedowns. In fact, he was the wrestling coach for Team Dos Santos on season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter. He was on the show for the first few episodes, until being fired by Junior Dos Antos himself when he tried taking role as head coach rather than sticking to wrestling. Dos Santos felt Polley was trying to take the spotlight away from him on the reality show and canned him. Polley’s striking is average-at-best, and that’s being generous. He is good at setting up his takedowns with strikes, though. He isn’t looking to get in there and have a brawl, he wants to get the fight to the mat and use his superior wrestling to grind it out. I believe a decision victory via blanketing is his only route to victory in this bout. Fight Prediction: I think Polley will secure his takedowns but receive damage, as Stringer has a very good bottom game. It will be even on the mat, but judges will likely see the rounds for Polley, simply because he is on top. Regardless of where the fight goes, I think Stringer will be doing damage to Polley and will likely find a way to stop him within the fifteen minute mark, thus not allowing it to go to the judges hands. Gabe’s Pick: Hans Stringer by TKO (punches, 3:44 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Hans Stringer -165
