CYRILLE DIABATE

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

Flying Knee

Level 2—Both Standing, Striking Range

“The Snake” strikes like a cobra from afar with his deadly flying knees. These devastating step strikes are performed after a forward step, and they can instantly rock the opponent, setting up the finish.

Right Quick Superman Punch

Level 1—Both Standing, Striking Range

This fast jab isn’t the most powerful strike in Diabate’s arsenal, but it has fantastic speed and range, giving it a high chance of landing flush. Connect several times with this go-to technique strike.

Strong Left/Right Knee

Level 2—Muay Thai Clinch, Offense

Diabate can use his long reach to catch his opponents in a Muay Thai Clinch, then land these devastating technique strikes. Press the opponent into the cage to add even more weight to each knee.

STRENGTHS

• Striking
• Experience
• Training camp

Cyrille “The Snake” Diabate is an excellent striker with knockout power in his hands and feet. He has good footwork, a long reach, and decent speed, although he can still be out-struck by other elite strikers in his weight class.

Be elusive and work Diabate’s long kicks and punches while keeping the opponent at a distance—you don’t want to risk being taken down and having to fight off your back with “The Snake.”

Diabate is also quite effective in the clinch—lock up with opponents and work them over with powerful knees in the Muay Thai Clinch, but only if they’re getting the better of you in the stand-up game.

Avoid the clinch otherwise—the risk of being taken down and out of your element is too great. For the most part, you want to keep the fight standing when using “The Snake.”

WEAKNESSES

• Strength
• Takedowns
• Submissions

Diabate’s punches, kicks, elbows and knees are all very dangerous, but “The Snake” doesn’t match up well against grapplers, especially when pitted against submission specialists. For starters, Diabate has poor takedown defense—so take your best shot and drive him to the mat.

Pass his guard and transition to a dominant position, then soften up “The Snake” with a few body shots before locking in a submission that he’ll have trouble wiggling out of.

Even if Diabate manages to slip free and ends up on top, he has poor control from there and is even more susceptible to sweeps and submissions from the bottom.

Keep rolling with “The Snake” on the ground to keep him out of his element and unable to work his strongest brand of offense—kickboxing.