Prediction: Oumar Sy via Decision
Menifield has that kind of game-changing power that you have to respect. Dude throws like every punch as if he’s owed money. If he lands clean, most guys don’t get back up. But here’s the thing—Sy is not most guys, and more importantly, Sy doesn’t play around long enough for that danger to cook. His whole style is built around smothering threats like Menifield before they can even find a rhythm. You might be dangerous on the feet, but if you’re not throwing, it doesn’t matter—and Sy makes sure you don’t get those openings.
Menifield has definitely leveled up his grappling—credit where it’s due. He’s shown way better awareness, better scrambles, even offensive takedowns when needed. But there’s a difference between improving your grappling and living in it. That’s where Sy shines. He’s not just going to test Menifield’s takedown defense once or twice—he’s going to force him to defend over and over again, at a pace most can’t sustain. And Sy isn’t just strong enough to match Menifield physically—he’s got the technique to control those exchanges, win positions, and start wearing on Menifield’s gas tank.
That’s the X-factor. Menifield slows when you make him work. We’ve seen it before: early danger, but if you survive the storm and keep the grind on him, that explosive threat starts to fade. And Sy doesn’t give you breathers. He knows what he needs to do in there—and playing with fire on the feet isn’t it.
So yeah, Menifield is the toughest test on Sy’s resume—but Sy is the exact type of fighter who gives Menifield real problems. Relentless, technical, and smart enough to avoid the kill shot while executing a gameplan that drags Menifield into deep water and drowns that power before it ever has a chance to explode.
Expect Sy to do what he always does: grapple early, grapple often, and take control.