I just saw it on Sherdog that this guy is planning to try MMA. If this guy can develop a takedown defense of a good guard. His standup is simply astonishing Former World Combat League superstar already touted as the next Cung Le SAN JOSE, Calif. Following a spectacular, undefeated run in Chuck Norris World Combat League, 28-year-old kickboxing superstar, Raymond The Real Deal Daniels (0-0), will make his long-awaited mixed martial arts (MMA) debut when he takes on Jeremiah Metcalf (8-4) in a middleweight (185 lb. limit) battle at Strikeforces Melendez vs. Thomson mega-card at HP Pavilion on Friday. Already being hailed as the second coming of Strikeforce World Middleweight Champion, Cung Le, Daniels, recognized as the number one Sport Karate fighter in the world, holds a 6th degree black belt in Kenpo and Shotokan Karate as well as a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He packs a thrilling, dynamic fighting style that is strikingly similar to Le, also a guru of traditional martial arts. [yt]YKNxKWQqyqs[/yt]
didnt cung le tho have a good wrestling back ground aswell as excelent kickboxing? thats why i partly bought the hype for cung, i just see this guy gettin taken down and blanketed all day. but heres hopin this guy is the real deal and adds some excitment to some fights
Mighty big difference between doing San Shou, with takedowns, while also being a solid wrestler, compared to just kickboxing.
Kickboxing in Churck Norris's joke league with giant pillows on your hands and two 3 minute rounds with no clinching or grabbing, at that.
As stated above - this american styled kickboxing is not a good way to prepare for entry into MMA. He should have tried Pancrase first. Their rules forbidding punches with closed fist would have given him a chance to adapt to working his strikes in consideration to grappling. With all due respect Daniels is no Cung Le.