Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at strawweight Cristina Stanciu as she takes on 9th ranked strawweight Maryna Moroz at Fight Night 86 in Zagreb, Croatia. Cristina “Barbie” Stanciu Hometown: Bucharest, Romania Age: 22 Height: 5’4” Reach: 64” Weight Class: Strawweight Camp: Absoluto Bucharest Career Record: 5-0 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background The first Romanian fighter to ever sign with the UFC, Stanciu is one of the youngest fighters in the promotion at just 22 years of age. Stanciu is an accomplished Wushu practitioner have placed third in its world championships on multiple occasions. Strengths
- Aggressive striker
- Unorthodox, creative combinations
- Big power for the weight class
- Throws with heavy volume during periods of aggression
- Really good front kick to the head
- Latches on submissions quickly when opportunities present themselves
Weaknesses
- Low level of competition
- Too hittable on the feet
- Long periods of inactivity in between short bursts of aggression
- Questionable cardio
Matchup with Maryna Moroz A dark horse for fight of the night as two eastern European strawweights square off in Zagreb, Croatia. Both fighters like to press the action and are willing to engage at length. I expect this fight to start quickly and be fought at a fast clip. Moroz is the rangier striker with a more accomplished boxing attack. Stanciu is far more creative in the striking and packs more power in her strikes. If the fight stays on the feet, I think there is an advantage for the debutant as we’ve seen Moroz dropped in the past and this is the most powerful striker she’s ever faced. Stanciu would need to score early as Moroz fights at a pretty decent pace for three rounds. It’s going to be difficult for the Romanian to keep up as the fight progresses. In regards to the grappling, all of Moroz’s victories have come by submission. Moroz is excellent off her back and is a real threat to score a submission in this match. Stanciu certainly has a chance to win this bout, but the more likely winner is Moroz with a more well-rounded skill set and superior cardio. UFC Ceiling Cristina Stanciu enters the UFC with a decent amount of hype. She’s only 22 years of age and looks to be one of the more exciting fighters in the strawweight division. Her aggressive, creative combination approach will give many fighters problems in a division that doesn’t have many finishers on the feet. As Stanciu continues to develop, she should improve her skill set and push towards the top 15 in the division. She will need to work on her endurance and prove she has a capable ground to develop beyond a fringe top 15 fighter. Fight Film Check out Cristina Stanciu in some of her most recent fights: Cristina Stanciu vs. Alice Ardelean Cristina Stanciu vs. Diana Belbita