Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at newcomer Danielle Taylor as she takes on 8th ranked strawweight Maryna Moroz at UFC Fight Night 92 in Salt Lake City, Utah Danielle Taylor Hometown: Palmsdale, California Age: 26 Height: 5’0” Reach: 58” Weight Class: Women’s Strawweight Camp: Saekson Muay Thai Career Record: 7-1 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background Fighting out of Van Nuys, California, Taylor was the King of the Cage Champion prior to signing with the UFC. She has training in both karate and muay thai outside of competing in martial arts. Strengths
- Strong despite small stature
- Above average power for the weight class
- Knockout ability in right hand
Weaknesses
- Undersized for the weight class
- Doesn’t combine strikes well
- Really struggles in the clinch
Matchup with Maryna Moroz Tough opening matchup for Danielle Taylor taking on the eight ranked strawweight Maryna Moroz. Taylor is certainly a threat in the standup due to the power in her right hand. Very few fighters have knockout power in this division, but Taylor is one of the few that has it. If Taylor catches Moroz right, she can certainly hurt her and potentially put her away. If she’s unable to do that, she’s really going to struggle in this bout. Moroz holds a seven inch height advantage and does well to strike in combination and at length. Moroz will be able to control the distance and work from the outside to easily out strike her opponent. If the fight goes to the ground, Moroz has an excellent armbar and can work for it from different angles / positions. Moroz is the longer, more technically skilled fighter, and can win in multiple ways. She’s a deserving (-255) favorite in this bout. UFC Ceiling If the UFC had an atomweight division, Taylor would be an intriguing prospect due to her unique power striking for the weight class. At strawweight, she’s going to run into too many fighters that are significantly longer than her that can control her from the outside or even in the clinch. I like that the UFC is giving her an opportunity, but I simply don’t see her having much chance of success in this division. Fight Film Check out Danielle Taylor in some of his most recent fights: Danielle Taylor vs. Jamie Colleen Danielle Taylor vs. Callie Cutler