(Dave Mandel/Sherdog)UFC Fight Night 63: Keys to Victory for Ricardo Lamas RJ Gardner April 2, 2015 Events, Previews, Spotlight Since joining the UFC and dropping down to featherweight, Ricardo Lamas has tremendous. Lamas is 6-1 as a featherweight with his lone loss coming at the hands of featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Now two fights removed from that disappointing loss, Lamas is ready to send a message that he is ready for another shot at UFC gold. What better way to send that message than to beat the fighter widely regarded as the #2 featherweight in the world, Chad Mendes. On Saturday, April 4, 2015, at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., Lamas will have his opportunity to put the division on notice as he gears up to take on Mendes in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas. Mendes is a heavy favorite heading into this bout, but Lamas has the tools to shock the stud from Team Alpha Male. But to do it, Lamas must execute a flawless game plan. Utilize Reach Advantage Lamas’ biggest advantage heading into Saturday night is his 2” height and 5” reach advantage. Mendes may be the thicker, more powerful fighter, but Lamas’ length will present Mendes with a lot of problems. Lamas has a great jab and he can utilize that to keep Mendes at distance. If Lamas can keep Mendes on the outside and keep him from landing those big power shots, he will have a great chance at taking home the victory. Don’t Get into a Grappling Match Even though Lamas is an accomplished amateur wrestler and a BJJ black belt, he needs to stay away from the grappling game of Mendes. As one of the best pure wrestlers in the UFC today, Mendes is to be feared in grappling situations. His ability to win scrambles and sink in chokes is uncanny. Obviously Lamas needs to mix in some grappling to keep Mendes off balance, but he can’t use it as his primary weapon. Don’t Over Commit Lamas has never been an overzealous fighter, but Mendes has a way of forcing fighters to press forward to try to match his intensity. Lamas needs to make Mendes fight his fight not the other way around. Mendes is at his best when the pace is frantic and the fists are flying. Lamas can take him out of the game by staying patient and landing on the outside. The name of the game for Lamas will be to frustrate and capitalize.
