Gabe Tayara has proven himself a game and versatile fighter, taking on challenges in MMA and kickboxing. But he’s demonstrated more than gameness with strong defensive grappling, scrambles and clinch work in his MMA fights. Fighting at heavyweight and light heavyweight, Tayara may have the size advantage here, as well. But ultimately, this seems like a match between the all-around warrior (Tayara) and the grappling specialist.
Tayara’s opponent in this jiu-jitsu match, Alex Pokki, brings a wrestling pedigree to his increasingly slick submission game. The Elevate MMA Academy blue belt has more than 14 years of experience coaching and competing in wrestling, including a state championship in Greco-Roman, and experience competing with US Grappling, the Ranger Up Grappling Classic and Sirius Grappling’s SG2. Expect to see him clinch up and look for takedowns so he can work his game from top positions.
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