Prediction: Zachary Reese inside the distance
Every time we’ve seen Dumas get pushed, the same story plays out with him folding under pressure. It’s not just a one off, it’s a pattern. And this habit is bad news when you’re facing someone like Reese, who comes out of the gate with bad intentions and isn’t shy about putting it on you from the first bell.
Reese’s whole approach is tailor made for this fight. He doesn’t give you time to settle, he forces you to react, and he’s always hunting for that early finish. That’s a massive problem for Dumas because he’s shown he doesn’t deal well with someone marching him down and making him uncomfortable. Even if Dumas tries to dig deep and fight back, skill for skill he’s just outmatched. On the feet, Reese’s offense is more dynamic and composed, and on the ground, he’s got the tools to dominate as well.
The way I see it, there are two clear paths for Reese, and both lean his way. One, he just blitzes early, overwhelms Dumas, and gets him out of there in the first round which is the most likely outcome. Or two, if Dumas somehow survives that storm, Reese has the fight IQ and the cardio to outwork him for three rounds, keeping pressure on and winning everywhere the fight goes. Either way, this matchup screams Reese, and that’s why I don’t overthink it.