Stefan Struve: Lavar Johnson is also a hard-hitter just like Mark Hunt – UFC News
Stefan Struve, in a recent media interaction, shared his resolve that he will not give any kind of leverage to his upcoming opponent Lavar Johnson adding that he was preparing for a heavy-hitter like Mark Hunt but the same training applies on Lavar as well.
Lavar and Stefan will take on each other in a non-title bout on UFC 146. The octagon will be set up at MGM Grand Garden Arena situated in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The pay-per-view is being headlined by the much anticipated championship bout between
Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir.
The Saturday night extravaganza will be co-headlined by the non-title bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva. Stefan, 24, has been in a total 28 bouts and boasts 23 wins.
The young Danish lad has nailed six of his opponents by knockout, 15 by submission, and just one by decision. The Dutchman Stefan is considered as a rising heavyweight brawler who has won four of his last five bouts and is coming from a classic technical
knockout win over Dave Herman.
During the recent media interaction, Struve shared his thoughts about how he felt on hearing the announcement of Lavar replacing Mark Hunt. Stefan commented that he felt happy as his hard work and training did not go in vain.
Struve stated, “I was training for a heavy-handed striker, and Lavar Johnson certainly fits that role as well. He is coming off two ‘Knockout of the Night’ performances, but I’m also coming off two consecutive finishes. He hits hard, but I hit hard, as well.”
Stefan further added that critics are giving importance to Lavar’s two recent consecutive wins but they should understand this fact that before that he also received two consecutive losses and both by submission.
The young Netherland hailing Struve was of the view that Johnson lacks the ability to undergo a ground game and cannot tackle a submission manoeuvre or takedown attempt. Stefan pinpointed, “Lavar Johnson has looked good in his first two fights in the UFC,
but people forget he came over after losing two straight in Strikeforce. Both of those losses came by way of submission, and it’s clear the ground game is his weakness.”
It is this reason why Struve feels confident and during the clash he will definitely possess an upper hand over Lavar since he has been doing kickboxing before taking on mixed martial art as a profession and in addition is a submission specialist.
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