Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at American lightweight Christos Giagos as he debuts against Gilbert Burns. Christos “The Spartan” Giagos Hometown: Harmony, California Age: 24 Height: 5’10” Reach: 73” Weightclass: Lightweight Camp: Team Victory Career Record: 10-2 Key Wins: Dakota Cochrane, Chris Tickle Key Losses: Poppies Martinez Background The former RFA Lightweight Champion enters the UFC on a four fight winning streak including a win over solid veteran Dakota Cochrane. Eight of Giagos’ ten wins have come inside the distance. The American has an amateur wrestling background having competed in the sport in high school. He’s been active in 2014 having fought already three times. His most recent fight (win over Cochrane) took place on August 22, so he hasn’t had much time as he went right back into training for his UFC debut. Strengths
- Good athlete
- Physically strong for 155
- Decent boxing with above average power
- Does will to land strikes to the body
- Strikes well in transition especially to setup takedown attempts
- Very good flying knee which he explodes into
- Strong double leg
- Transitions into position with speed
- Submission game is improving and he does have some variety
Weaknesses
- Striking defense needs some work
- Doesn’t check leg kicks
- Too predictable on the feet
- Can be too aggressive allowing his opponent to take him to the ground
- Not strong off his back
- Can be controlled by a fighter with good top control
Matchup with Gilbert Burns For his UFC debut, Christos Giagos will be fighting outside of the United States for the first time. Fighting thousands of miles away from and to be making a debut in the UFC are just a couple of the obstacles Giagos will need to overcome in his debut. The other thing he will need to overcome is undefeated Brazilian Gilbert Burns. The undefeated Blackzilian fighter is a renowned BJJ black belt havin won three world titles in jiu jitsu. Burns has improving striking and showcased that in his UFC debut against Andreas Stahl. The Brazilian can sometimes is not a volume striker, but he does vary his techniques well combining head strikes, body strikes, and kicks in combination. His offensive wrestling game is not his strong suit, but when he does get the fight to ground he is very dangerous. If Giagos is to win this fight, he will need to do so on the feet. The only two times Giagos has lost it has been by submission. It would be in the American’s best interest to try to win this fight by out striking his opponent. Can he do that? It’s possible. Burns has more variety in his striking, but Giagos is more aggressive and active on his feet. He could certainly catch Burns coming out of a clinch situation and knock him out. More likely this fight does go to the ground at some point, in which Burns submits Giagos to add another win to his unblemished record. UFC Ceiling Christos Giagos is a young and improving fighter. Reviewing his past fights, it’s clear he has become much more well-rounded since his loss to Poppies Martinez in early 2013. Giagos grappling game reminds me a bit of Kelvin Gastelum. He uses speed and power to work into his takedown attempts. His offensive grappling game is actually quite good, but he needs to be more cautious on the feet as if he’s taken down by an opponent he’s average at best off his back. Giagos is a good enough athlete to get a couple wins in the UFC which could allow him enough time to refine his skills. He really needs to work on his technical striking and/or grappling to give him the opportunity to be a top 20 fighter in the division because athletically he’s not that far away. Fight Videos Check out Giagos in some of his recent fights: Christos Giagos vs. Dakota Cochrane for the RFA Lightweight Championship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gCH63OAc8w Christos Giagos vs. Chris Tickle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3KcgbIYvPE