Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 3

Maki Pitolo vs Justin Sumter

Pitolo moves up from welterweight to middleweight for the first time in his career, when he steps In the Octagon on Tuesday. The Hawaiian fighter started off his career pretty shaky at 1-2 but has found his groove since winning 10 out of his last 12 appearances including his last two bouts. His last fight was under the Bellator banner, where he avenged a previous loss to Chris Cisneros. Pitolo is a veteran of CFFC and Victory FC.

The 28-year-old is an aggressive striker who overwhelms his opponents with relentless pressure. His nonstop forward movement forces his foes to fight off their back foot allowing Pitolo to slide into his range where he starts to tee off with fast, hard combos. His left hook, counter overhand right and body punches are his most dangerous weapons. He fights similarly to his teammate Max Holloway, where his volume increases as the fight goes into deep waters. He invites his opponents into a brawl but has too much confidence in his chin, which has crumbled in the past.

Unlike the UFC featherweight champion, “Coconut Bombz” often mixes takedowns into his attacks. While he isn’t a high-level wrestler, the Hawaiian does possess a smothering top game. Once in dominant position, he unleashes heavy ground-and-pound and has the ability to take his opponent’s back.

Sumter returns to the DWCS after losing to current middleweight contender Ian Heinisch in the previous season. Since the loss, the “Fort” bounced back by defeating Reginaldo Felix in an all-out war at Bellator 216 this past February. Sumter showed incredible heart in that bout battling back to get a submission win after nearly being knocked out earlier in the contest.

The 29-year-old is a massive middleweight with a 78-inch reach. The Fighting Arts Academy representative is a calculated striker who tends to throw one punch at a time, looking to land the perfect strike on every single shot. If one of his punches finds its spot, it is trouble for his opponent, as the Connecticut native has nice power in both hands. The Nick Newell protégé has the rare ability to land a powerful blow while backpedaling away from his adversary. He often keep his hands low, relying on his head movement to avoid oncoming attacks. The Fort’s long-range kicks are his best asset because it keeps his opponents at bay while helping him rack up points. He does possess a powerful high kick which can turn out the lights on his foes.

Sumter doesn’t impress in the wrestling department, but if he can get the fight to the canvas he is a submission threat. His long arms and legs make it easy for him to lock in a fight-ending hold from top of bottom position. The New Englander’s biggest weakness might be his gas tank. He has slowed down in previous fights, which is likely due to him carrying so much muscle on his frame.

This is my favorite bout of the evening and one of my favorites of the entire season. I think both fighters are very solid prospects and could both find themselves in the UFC soon. Sumter might struggle with Pitolo’s high output, while the Hawaiian might have trouble getting past the length of Sumter. I’m really on the fence with this bout. If this were a 25-minute bout, I think Pitolo’s output would probably lead him to victory, but because it is only 15 minutes, I will pick the New Englander in a razor-close decision. Justin Sumter by split decision, but because of how competitive the bout is he doesn’t get a UFC contract.

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