Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Argentina’s Guido Cannetti as he takes on Mexican Enrique Briones at UFC 180. Guido “Ninja” Cannetti Hometown: Mar del Plata, Argentina Age: 34 Height: 5’6” Weightclass: Bantamweight Camp: GOA MMA Academy Career Record: 6-1 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Cristiano Marcello, Alejandro Perez Background The outspoken Argentinian was the vocal leader of the Latin American team on TUF Latin America. All of Cannetti’s wins are by first round stoppage. Strengths
- Intelligent fighter who has an understanding of what he needs to during a fight to win
- Good left leg kick which he can land with power
- Shown to be a finisher with all wins inside the first round
- Offensive wrestling is underrated
Weaknesses
- Small for the weightclass
- Has only fought once a year for the last four years
- Age is a concern
- Keeps his chin unprotected when he pushes forward in wild exchanges
- Knocked out brutally in his final fight on TUF; could be difficult to return from
- Vulnerable when opponent is able to get back control against him
Matchup with Enrique Briones Of all the preliminary bouts at UFC 180, this one may be the most difficult to predict. Briones and Cannetti were two of the oldest fighters on TUF Latin America as they are both in their mid-thirties. Cannetti is the quicker, more explosive fighter with more pop in his strikes, but his aggression also puts him in bad positions. Briones is a more calculated fighter. He doesn’t have the speed that Cannetti possesses, but he is a more accurate striker and when the fight goes to the ground, he’s more effective in top control holding positions and doing more damage. This bout sort of reminds me of the classic fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare” in which the rabbit starts strong, but the turtle is the one who ultimately wins the race. Expect a close contest, but the advantages of technique and durability will show themselves clear in a 15 minute contest. UFC Ceiling A fighter like Guido Cannetti is the type of guy the UFC likes to have on its roster. He’s brash, confident, and likes to push forward looking for a finish. Unfortunately, he has some major flaws that will prevent him from moving up the UFC ladder. The main issue is his inability to defend strikes. He really likes to push forward with wild / brawling style strikes which make him extremely vulnerable on the counter. If he had a chin like Diego Sanchez, this wouldn’t be an issue. However, in his semifinal fight on TUF Latin America, this really stood out. He was tagged repeatedly pushing forward with counter hooks. The punch that put him down, he didn’t even see coming. At 34 years old, small for the division, and poor striking defense, Cannetti will have a couple of fights in the UFC, but don’t expect much to come of it. Fight Film Check out Guido Cannetti in some of his recent fights: Guido Cannetti vs. Rafael Dias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOuP-GrzlmE Guido Cannetti vs. Cristiano Marcello https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAwVF2GXZ4Q