Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at heavyweight Jair Rozenstruik as he makes his UFC debut against Brazilian Junior Albini at UFC on ESPN+2 in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Jair Rozenstruik
Hometown: Paramaribo, Suriname
Age: 30
Height: 6’2”
Reach:
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Camp: Fighting Titans Suriname
Career Record: 6-0
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: None
Background
The heavyweight from Suriname first began fighting in 2012 prior to taking a five-year absence from the sport. He has won four fights over the last two years to increase his unbeaten run to six and earn a spot in the UFC.
Strengths
- Competent standup
- Decent leg kicks
- Nice variety in striking combinations
Weaknesses
- Complete unknown
- Limited experience
- Fought inferior competition
- Can get away from his technique and over strike when he thinks he has an opponent in trouble
- Doesn’t fight with any pace
- Zero ground game
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: C-
Striking Defense: D+
Knockout Power: D+
Athleticism / Speed: D
Footwork: D-
Chin: D+
Offensive Wrestling: D-
Takedown Defense: D-
Submissions: F
Conditioning: D
Intangibles: D-
Overall Grade: D-
Matchup with Junior Albini
In a heavyweight matchup, Junior Albini welcomes Suriname’s Jair Rozenstruik to Brazil in his UFC debut. Rozenstruik is a rather unknown fighter with just six professional fights. He’s a capable standup striker with both punches and kicks in his arsenal. The rest of his game is green and rather limited. Albini is not the most talented fighter in the sport, but he’s much better-rounded than Rozenstruik. Furthermore, Albini has never been finished by strikes. I think that sets up well for Albini as he has a more varied skill set and can be dominant on the ground from top position. Look for Albini to give a lesson to the newcomer and outwork him on the mat and secure a submission victory. Albini is just -115 currently and nearly even odds on a much more experienced, well-rounded, and younger fighter is tough to pass up. Albini -115 is a bet worth making.
UFC Ceiling
Jair Rozenstruik is the latest in the line of heavyweights the UFC has brought in hoping to catch magic in a bottle. Rozenstruik is rather unknown with just a few professional fights to his name. He’s a competent striker that has finished most of his competition, but he’s rather green and it seems like too soon for Rozenstruik to be in the UFC. I expect him to be beaten by more experienced fighters and not cut it in the UFC.
Fight Film
Check out Jair Rozenstruik in some of his most recent fights:
Jair Rozenstruik vs. Andrey Kovalev
Jair Rozenstruik vs. Robert McCarthy
