Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at a matchup of welterweights as Team SBG welterweight Charlie Ward welcomes Congo born England native Galore Bofando to the UFC at UFC Fight Night 113 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Galore Bofando
Hometown: Democratic Republic of Congo
Age: 35
Height: 6-foot
Reach: 72 inches
Weight Class: Welterweight
Camp: NA
Career Record: 4-2
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: None
Background The former world champion kickboxer will be competing in his first MMA bout since January 2015. Of his four victories, three of them have come by knockout.
Strengths
- Talented striker
- Beautiful kicks
- Excellent athlete
Weaknesses
- Can be pushed against the cage
- Struggles when forced to fight at close range
- Poor takedown defense
- No semblance of a ground game
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: B
Striking Defense: C-
Knockout Power: C+
Athleticism / Speed: B
Footwork: B-
Chin: C-
Offensive Wrestling: D-
Takedown Defense: F
Submissions: D-
Conditioning: D
Intangibles: D
Overall Grade: D Matchup with Charlie Ward Bofando enters the UFC against Ireland’s Ward. While Bofando is a rather one-dimensional fighter, this is an opportunity for him to come in and get a win in his UFC debut. Ward is one of the worst fighters currently on the UFC roster, and his method of plays right into Bofando’s strengths. Ward will come forward and strike with the talented kickboxer. That is a recipe for disaster, as Bofando is a tremendously talented striker. Bofando has excellent spin kicks, axe kicks and crushing knees if given the opportunity. If Ward utilizes a grappling heavy game plan, this is a fight he could potentially win as Bofando has no ground game to speak of. However, I expect Ward to make this entertaining and strike with Bofando. Look for the Congo-born striker to land a big kick on the feet that will wobble Ward and then for Bofando to follow up with strikes for the finish. I recommend looking at both the under and Bofando by KO/TKO.
UFC Ceiling Bofando is a tremendously talented striker. He’s a great athlete that is capable of landing kicks from all sorts of angles. That said, he’s already 35 years of age, and his ground game is very limited at best. If put against striking-focused fighters, he can have some success and potentially win some fight bonuses. However, he will struggle against any well-rounded fighter.
Fight Film Check out Bofando in some of his most recent fights…
Bofando vs. Carl Kinslow
Bofando vs. Wendle Lewis
