Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Canadian welterweight Jonathan Meunier as he debuts against American Top Team product Colby Covington at UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Jonathan “District” Meunier Hometown: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Age: 28 Height: 6’3” Reach: N/A Weight Class: Welterweight Camp: Tristar Quebec Career Record: 7-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background Fighting professionally for only three years, Jonathan Meunier has fought all seven of his professional fights in his native Quebec. He’s finished all seven of his opponents inside of two rounds. Strengths
- Really long for the weight class
- Holds opponents down well when able to get top control
- Solid ground and pound
Weaknesses
- Low volume striker
- Likely to struggle if can’t get fight to ground
Match-up against Colby Covington A tough debut setup for Canadian Jonathan Meunier against Colby Covington. Meunier has found his success thus far in the sport by taking opponents to the mat and punishing them with ground and pound. In this matchup, he’ll need to come up with a different game plan. Covington is a far more accomplished wrestler and I expect the American to be able to score takedowns in this fight with relative ease. While Meunier has a better standup skill set, he has yet to show in his career that he can make good use of it. Look for Covington to win a comfortable decision. UFC Ceiling Jonathan Meunier is a rather unproven fighter making his UFC debut. Like many undefeated fighters getting their start in the UFC, the question becomes whether he has real talent or are his results due to facing inferior competition. In the vast majority of situations, it is poor competition inflating results. Meunier does have good size for the division and is affiliated with the top MMA camp in Canada so there are reasons to think he can succeed with time. However, he needs to continue to add things to his skill set and fight better opponents each time out. Fight Film Check out Jonathan Meunier in some of his most recent fights: Jonathan Meunier vs. Dave Leduc