Roop vs. Duran

This is the official discussion thread for Roop vs. Duran. Let's see what you've got.

Reuben Duran looked horrible against Hugo Viana, let's see how he returns without the ring rust.

Roop is so much better than his record shows. He's been beat by mostly top guys when they were at their prime, which shows how tough his opponents have been in the past.

Reuben “Hurricane” Duran (8-4-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) Vs. George Roop (12-9-1 MMA, 4-6-1 UFC):

- Roop is two years older, has a 1” inch reach advantage, and has a substantial 6” inch height advantage.

- Roop has been fighting since 2005, Duran started in 2006, however Roop has had 9 more professional fights.

- Roop is a former RITC lightweight and bantamweight Champion.

- Roop has four wins by submission, and three by knockout, one of which was an impressive second round knockout of The Korean Zombie.

- Duran is a former four-time Grapplers Quest champion.

- Duran has four wins via submission, and three by knockout.

- Duran lands slightly more strikes per minute (3.43>3.77), and has a higher striking accuracy, landing 48% of his shots (Roop = 31%).

- Roop has better striking defense absorbing slightly less strikes per minute (2.31>2.8), and has better overall defense, avoiding 62% of strikes (Duran = 49%).

- Neither fighter is takedown centric; they both average about 1 successful takedown per fight. The telling stat here is Roop lands 70% of his attempts, while Duran only succeeds 29% of the time. Additionally, Roop stops an average 56% of takedown attempts, but this is great when you consider whom he has fought, and the fact that Duran only stops 20% of attempts.

Roop is moving back to lightweight, where he is currently 1-2 under The UFC banner. This is a bit puzzling, because we know he can make weight at bantamweight, but this must be where he feels more comfortable. I have a feeling that this fight will take place on the feet for the most part, as both fighters seem to be comfortable striking. I do think that Roop will be able to utilize a takedown if he finds himself in deep water, Duran has very questionable takedown defense that Roop could easily exploit. Duran looked bad in his loss to Hugo Viana, but that was coming off a long layoff. If Roop fights like he did in the Grispi fight, then he will be hard to stop, but we did see him get over aggressive against Hominick and get knockout, but I think pushing the pace will see him earn a much needed W, and retain a roister spot.

Roop over Duran. 2nd round submission. Confidence: 6

@tommyt This fight is at Bantamweight.

Haven't been impressed with either recently. This could really go either way.

I enjoy watching Roop fight. He hasn't looked overly impressive lately though. I'm still not sold on Duran, Viana absolutely lit him up ... bad. I thought Viana would win, but I didn't think he would destroy the guy. But of course, Roop and Viana are no comparison when it comes to power. So this is a hard pick for me. I'm leaning towards Roop via dec. 

@bman518
Thanks for the heads up, not sure where I read it was LW, but it didn't really make sense to me, thanks again! 

* Edited at 03.04.2013, 9:23 PM ET *

Duran was coming off a long layoff and Vianna looked damn good and improved so much. Duran did beat Rivera in his fight before. Roop is so inconsistent. This is definitely a fight where you'd expect the loser to get cut. Will Roop actually be a betting favorite for once? Haha I don't think I have ever seen it.

Actually he was against Swanson, I can't believe that, The oddsmakers really messed that one up.

If roop can stop durans td attempts then i feel he'll win a decisive decision. 

If reuben can take a weak  roop down then his top control should be enough to take the decision or possibly even sub him.

I think roop will be able to use his height and reach adv to take this close fight 29-28 maybe even 30-27

Roop went full Ethiopia-Machinist-Florian style, dude looked like a skeleton. I'm probably gonna change my pick...

Roop looked like a cancer patient at weigh ins.  6'1" at 135 pounds is just sickly. 

* Edited at 03.15.2013, 6:52 PM ET *

Roop looks like Christian Bale in The Machinist, no joke

Roop goes up and down in weight but the fact is as far as the UFC goes, he just isn't good enough in either class. He'll get his walking papers after he loses to Duran.

ya but his opponents are just gonna get better with time. if he couldn't beat the top fighters back then how is he gonna beat the top fighters now. hes an above average fighter that never breaks thru into the top ranks because he loses to those in the top ranks.

Duran has that power, he is most dangerous in the pocket and on the ground. Roop is one of the fighters who actually use their length to their advantage. He fights like a tall fighter and if he does that here I fully expect him to win. He looked extremely drained at weigh ins so you never know. I'm excited nonetheless. its a good fight on paper. 

DNB

If Duran lands heat to Roop's skeletor body at bantamweight I think he can end this quickly.