Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Polish heavyweight Adam Wieczorek as he makes his UFC debut against American Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 118 in Gdansk, Poland.
Adam Wieczorek
Hometown: Chorzow, Poland
Age: 29
Height: 6’5”
Reach: –
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Camp: Spartan Chorzow
Career Record: 8-1
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: Marcin Tybura
Background The 29-year-old Polish heavyweight hasn’t lost a bout in six years. He’s finished opponents in all eight of his career wins. He was originally scheduled to debut in the UFC in July 2017 at UFC 214 but the bout was cancelled.
Strengths
- Heavy knees in the clinch
- Solid in top position
- Can work ground and pound as well as submissions off the mat
- Active off his back
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have fight ending power with his hands
- Tends to fight off back foot
- Doesn’t check leg kicks
- Terrible takedown defense
- Fighting off a year long layoff
- Never been to a decision
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: F
Striking Defense: D-
Knockout Power: D-
Athleticism / Speed: D
Footwork: D+
Chin: C
Offensive Wrestling: D+
Takedown Defense: F
Submissions: D+
Conditioning: D
Intangibles: F
Overall Grade: F
Matchup with Anthony Hamilton In a matchup of heavyweights at opposite ends of their careers, Anthony Hamilton welcomes Adam Wieczorek to the UFC. Hamilton has been finished in his last three fights overall dating back to December 2016. Furthermore, he’s returning off a knockout loss just one month ago to Daniel Spitz. This is one of the quickest returns off a knockout loss in recent memory in the UFC. Hamilton had retired after that fight, but quickly changed his mind and is back in the cage. Returning off a knockout loss is never easy, but a 37-year-old heavyweight returning after a knockout loss just one month ago is rather unprecedented. While Wieczorek doesn’t have natural power to knockout even average UFC fighters on the feet, he’s facing a fighter that has been hurt and finished by some of the division’s worst talent. Given how Hamilton has performed in recent fights, it’s hard to see him winning this bout. While he matches up well with Wieczorek given Hamilton’s size, strength, and wrestling advantage, Hamilton hasn’t shown he’s able to last in the cage. He simply isn’t capable of absorbing strikes like he once has. Under 1.5 is -140 in this bout. With Hamilton’s recent defeats and the fact that Wieczorek has never been to a decision, this is the best opportunity currently available for this fight. Wiezorek inside the distance is a prop worth looking at once it is released.
UFC Ceiling Adam Wieczorek is only 29 years and has a decent frame for the heavyweight division. However, he doesn’t have the striking power to test UFC caliber heavyweights. His takedown defense is rather porous as well, so most opponents should be able to beat him standing or on the ground. I struggle to see him having success in the UFC long term.
Fight Film Check out Adam Wieczorek in some of his most recent fights:
Adam Wieczorek vs. Zoumana Cisse
Adam Wieczorek vs. Filip Toe
