UFC 194 Breakdown: Keys to Victory for Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens

UFC superstars Jose Aldo, Chris Weidman, Conor McGregor, and Luke Rockhold are not the only fighters competing on Dec. 12 at UFC 194.

While overlooked and under-appreciated, an ultra-important bout between featherweight contenders Max Holloway and Jeremy Stephens is also scheduled to take place. Their matchup undoubtedly adds potential to a pay-per-view main card already being called the greatest of all time.

For Holloway, who has captured seven victories in a row following a 2013 loss to McGregor, knocking off a heavy-hitting veteran like Stephens will make the 24-year-old’s bid for a title shot in 2016 that much easier.

For Stephens, a former lightweight standout who has reinvented himself as one of most competitive fighters on the 145-pound roster, capturing a win over Holloway will allow the five-year UFC vet to challenge the division’s elite entering the new year.

Based on striking, wrestling, and grappling, here are keys to victory for each fighter entering their tilt at UFC 194.

Striking

Keys to victory for Holloway

Outside of Conor McGregor, Jose Aldo, Frankie Edgar and possibly Yair Rodriguez, Holloway is one of the best technical strikers at 145 pounds.

His versatility, unorthodox approach, adaptation, and overall ability to strike from distance has assisted Holloway in leading all featherweights in UFC history with 681 significant strikes landed.

But what makes the 24-year-old even more dangerous opposite a heavy-handed, one-punch thrower like Stephens is the fact that he has defended 69.7 percent of his opponent’s significant strikes (only second to Aldo at 69.9 percent for featherweights).

So as long as Holloway can continue to do what he has been doing over the past four years, as well as circling away from Stephens’ power right, he should have no problem scoring points in bunches.

Keys to victory for Stephens

There’s no doubt that Stephens has brought substantial power with him to the 145-pound scene from his days as a lightweight.

But opposite a more refined striker like Holloway, it’s going to be key that Stephens is cautious in the middle of the Octagon. Pressing the Hawaiian’s back to the cage is certainly going to help his chances on the feet, but Stephens doesn’t want to find himself chasing “Blessed” around all night.

Instead, playing the counter-striking role will allow Stephens to land some power inside when Holloway gets busy with his combinations. Mixing it up upon return will only help his chances of catching the shifty featherweight off guard.

Wrestling

Keys to victory for Holloway

Each of Holloway’s recent two losses, one to Conor McGregor and the other to Dennis Bermudez, featured the striker being taken down four times.

He has displayed an ability to regain momentum in fights after he’s dragged to the mat, but only when the shots are minimal.

In this case, Stephens will be looking for a chance to put Holloway on his back more than once, whether in effort to escape bad luck on the feet or to score points on the ground.

Holloway must use his quickness and footwork to exchange and then disengage. Staying inside for too long will allow Stephens to utilize his stronger frame, drive the striker against the cage, and take away Holloway’s most dangerous tools.

Keys to victory for Stephens

As an offensive striker who loves to mix it up on the feet, Holloway is very susceptible to a takedown, especially against a fighter who possesses superior natural strength.

While Stephens is not the most perfect example of an elite wrestling (45 percent takedown rate), he’s more than capable of grabbing a hold of any featherweight and dumping them on their head.

But when he finds himself matched up against Holloway at UFC 194, Stephens will most likely have to eat a couple of shots before he can even get close to the Hawaiian. He also must avoid flying knees and quick parries when he executes a shot.

Grappling

Keys to victory for Holloway

Early in his career, Holloway’s lack of experience on the ground truly showed, succumbing to a Dustin Poirier submission at UFC 143 in his promotional debut.

But since he’s developed young man’s strength, the 24-year-old has been able to utilize a mean guillotine choke over the past year and a half, specifically his submission wins over Andre Fili and Cub Swanson.

Now while Holloway’s bread and butter lies with his lengthy striking, he could find himself on Stephens’ back if he lands a couple of good shots.

It isn’t a position the Hawaiian should look for, or one he should exhaust copious amounts of energy to finish, but “Lil’ Heathen” has tapped three times in his career.

Keys to victory for Stephens

Although strong and possessing solid takedown technique, Stephens is not known for his grappling. As a matter of fact, he’s never recorded a submission victory inside of the Octagon.

Needless to say, considering he’ll be facing a fighter who is very crafty and offensively-driven off his back, Stephens probably won’t be tapping anyone at UFC 194.

Instead, he’ll look to use his grappling, specifically side control, to weigh down on the less-powerful Holloway, pepper him with strikes, and hopefully hurt him via ground-and-pound.

Besides that, Stephens should only be using his abilities on the ground to get back up and land leather.