How AgentMMA breaks down Melissa Gatto vs Ernesta Kareckaite
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UFC Record Breakdown
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Last Opponents
Ernesta Kareckaite and Melissa Gatto both walk into this one needing to shake off a decision loss, which puts some real bite into an otherwise quiet matchup. Kareckaite last lost a unanimous decision to Regina Tarin, after taking a split decision over Nicolle Caliari. Gatto arrives after a majority decision loss to Dione Barbosa, so neither gets to show up riding the buzz of a fresh win. But remember Gatto going after the body?
- Both arrive after decision losses with a fresh start to chase
- Gatto has twice ended fights with body shots in R3
- Barbosa beat both, but those scorecards tell two different stories
The exchanges are most likely to open up in R3, when repeated entries and exits can slow the resets and expose the body.
A body punch stopped Tamires Vidal in R3, and a body kick stopped Sijara Eubanks in R3. Those are different weapons aimed at the same spot, and they give Kareckaite something to think about whenever she sets her feet within range. Kareckaite has a 71 inch reach to Gatto's 69, and both stand orthodox, making the space between them a big part of the story. Kareckaite needs to keep that space useful with clean shots and exits, while Gatto needs to get close without giving away free hits on the way in.
If they end up tied together at the fence, watch who earns room to strike and who has to spend energy starting over. Then there's Barbosa, who also beat Kareckaite by unanimous decision. Sharing an opponent gives this fight a neat connection, but it cannot answer the real question: can Kareckaite keep her range when Gatto starts looking downstairs?
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Loading secure checkout…Melissa Gatto
Melissa Gatto finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Melissa Gatto breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Melissa Gatto's recent form
Ernesta Kareckaite and Melissa Gatto both walk into this one needing to shake off a decision loss, which puts some real bite into an otherwise quiet matchup. Kareckaite last lost a unanimous decision to Regina Tarin, after taking a split decision over Nicolle Caliari. Gatto arrives after a majority decision loss to Dione Barbosa, so neither gets to show up riding the buzz of a fresh win. But remember Gatto going after the body?
- Both arrive after decision losses with a fresh start to chase
- Gatto has twice ended fights with body shots in R3
- Barbosa beat both, but those scorecards tell two different stories
The exchanges are most likely to open up in R3, when repeated entries and exits can slow the resets and expose the body.
A body punch stopped Tamires Vidal in R3, and a body kick stopped Sijara Eubanks in R3. Those are different weapons aimed at the same spot, and they give Kareckaite something to think about whenever she sets her feet within range. Kareckaite has a 71 inch reach to Gatto's 69, and both stand orthodox, making the space between them a big part of the story. Kareckaite needs to keep that space useful with clean shots and exits, while Gatto needs to get close without giving away free hits on the way in.
If they end up tied together at the fence, watch who earns room to strike and who has to spend energy starting over. Then there's Barbosa, who also beat Kareckaite by unanimous decision. Sharing an opponent gives this fight a neat connection, but it cannot answer the real question: can Kareckaite keep her range when Gatto starts looking downstairs?
Premium analysis preview is ready.
Loading secure checkout…Ernesta Kareckaite
Ernesta Kareckaite finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Ernesta Kareckaite breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Ernesta Kareckaite's recent form
