A Matador & the Freight Train: An Analysis of Renato Versus Dante Leon
A Matador & the Freight Train: An Analysis of Renato Versus Dante Leon
The main event at the KASAI Super Serie 2 between Renato Canuto and Dante Leon is truly something special.
Unlock this article, live events, and more with a subscription!
Already a subscriber? Log In
The main event at the KASAI Super Serie 2 between Renato Canuto and Dante Leon is truly something special.
After submission wins in superfights against Matheus Lutes and Edwin Najmi, Leon earned the right to face off with Renato Canuto, the two-time KASAI Pro tournament champion (155lb and 170b).
Watch KASAI Super Series 2: Orlando LIVE July 4
As KASAI Pro's poster boy and most-featured competitor, Canuto has the best record of any athlete to appear on the event. Canuto has wins over Vagner Rocha (twice), Garry Tonon, Mansher Khera, Celso Vinicius, PJ Barch and Jason Rau, all of whom he defeated on points. In February this year he submitted Marcio Andre with a heel hook.
Meanwhile, In five KASAI matches Leon has scored no less than three submissions – all by rear naked choke. Nick Calvanese, Matheus Lutes and Edwin Najmi all fell to the GF Team powerhouse.
- Dante Leon (5 KASAI matches – 3 matches, 2 losses)
- Renato Canuto (11 KASAI matches – 8 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws)
The bout between these two competitors representatives a true clash of styles: will Canuto's elusive and explosive game be enough to redirect the pressure and power Dante brings to the table? Read on to see our full analysis.
The Challenger: Dante Leon
Dante Leon is about as well-rounded athlete as can be.
His wrestling is top notch, passing pressure among the best in the game, and he gets the finish from just about anywhere.
Notice that 2/3 of this subs kick off with a strong sprawl and quick spin to the back, where Leon will attack the turtle and typically end up on the back: these are not isolated incidents, and his counter-wrestling has been a critical component to numerous past victories.
In general, it's fair to call Leon an aggressive submission hunter, his weapons of choice running the gamut, including RNC's, armbars, arm triangles, and a nasty guillotine, but those finishes don't develop out of thin air, and a keen observer will tell you that Dante's submission game is aided by his varied and well-honed guard game.
Dante Leon: A Bulldozing Passing Machine? Or Guard-Playing Ninja?
Why not both?
One of Dante's understated strengths lies in his versatile bottom game. The GF Team athlete doesn't seem to favor one particular position a favorite, but cycles through various open guards to address the action has it comes.
The above GIF of Leon using RDLR on the weak side to open up a matrix-style back attack that evolves into an overhead waiter Sweep. Pretty fancy stuff.
This sequence is particularly interesting: not only does it highlight Leon's excellent counter wrestling abilities, but when he's threatened by being out of position in a scramble, he's happy to sit to guard to avoid being put out of position.
This is demonstrative of both a well-rounded game and commitment to a more significant cause. Leon's excellent guard and wrestling skills can be on display in detail in his most recent match with Edwin Najmi at KASAI Pro 5.
Renato Canuto: The King of KASAI
Premier jiu-jitsu analyst Riccardo Ammendolia has done a full study on why Renato Canuto is the current king of KASAI.
- Unorthodox movements: Peculiar combination of footwork and feints to set up attacks, both in wrestling and guard passing sequences.
- Wrestling. Renato's aggressive standup game has claimed many victims.
- Acrobatics. Renato is a nimble, exciting competitor, who's unpredictable movement throws a wrench in people's gameplans.
- Submission defense. Renato has never lose via submission at KASAI
- Experience. With 11 Matches (and 8 wins), Renato is the most active KASAI competitor in the history of the promotion.
WATCH: Renato Canuto Supercut
I'm in total agreement with these points, and though it is highlighted in the context of unorthodox movement and acrobatics, I believe Canuto's relentless pacing deserves its own bullet point.
He. never. stops. moving.
Whether it's passing, wrestling, or playing guard, Renato is working to break his opponents will. Just look at this guard passing sequence against Marcio Andre. Simply relentless, even in the face of good defense.
One Man's Take
Out of the three super fights I've analyzed for KASAI Super Series 2 (Craig vs Tex & Vagner vs Celso), this is the most difficult to call.
Distance management will play an intriguing role, as Renato could be said to be a long-range fighter: his guard passes are typically based on timing and agility as opposed to pressure, he shoots takedowns and launches flying submission attacks from a distance - in short, he strives to be slippery and untouchable above all else.
Dante is the opposite.
He wants to hang on his opponents while wrestling, grind them down with his passes, or spin underneath them while playing guard.
In short, the entire match depends on if Dante can shut down space and crowd Renato; if so, he sets himself for the victory, if not, Renato will operate in the zone where he thrives. The onus is on Dante to do something surprising to break the trend, on Renato's success.