Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Argentina’s Nazareno Malegarie as he takes on fellow TUF Brazil contestant Joaquim Silva at UFC 191 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nazareno “El Tigre” Malegarie Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina Age: 29 Height: 5’8” Reach: N/A Weight Class: Lightweight Camp: Team Tavares Career Record: 23-3 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Rad Martinez, Daniel Straus Background The experienced Argentinian MMA fighter lost in the semifinals of TUF Brazil 4. He has previously fought in Bellator facing quality opposition such as Daniel Straus. Of his 23 career wins, 15 of them have come via submission. Strengths
- Solid top control
- Capable ground and pound
- Decent conditioning
- Relentless approach wears out opponents
Weaknesses
- Small for the division
- Bit flat footed
- Lacks one punch knockout power
- Striking defense needs work
- Will struggle in a prolonged standing exchange
- Takedowns are too predictable
Matchup with Joaquim Silva This is a matchup of TUF Brazil 4 semifinalists. Joaquim Silva is the far better stand up fighter with a much more diverse skill set. On the flip side, Nazareno Malegarie is capable on the ground and can control the fight when it goes there. This fight ultimately comes down how well Silva can defend the takedown attempts of “El Tigre.” If Silva keeps the fight standing, he should win pretty convincingly. If he cannot, Malegarie will control the fight and keep his opponent grounded for large portions of the fight. I don’t think particularly high of either fighter, so this is not a spot I’d look to exploit from a gambling perspective. However, I do believe Malegarie can get the fight to the ground and is the more likely to finish the fight with his submission prowess. UFC Ceiling Nazareno Malegarie has a decent ground game with some nice variety in his submission skill set. His stand up, on the other hand, is not good enough to compete long term in the UFC. He will get eaten up by the better strikers in the organization. Furthermore, he’s too small to compete at lightweight and would have much higher chance of his success if he dropped to featherweight. Fight Film Check out Oluwale Bamgbose in some of his most recent fights: Nazareno Malegarie vs. Vitor Pastoriza Nazareno Malegarie vs. Daniel Straus