Where to Watch: January 26th 12PM CT, on UFC Fight Pass
The Tigers again compete at home in a conference dual, this time against the higher ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. West Virginia is 1-3 in their last four but did give OK State one of their tougher duals this season. They have the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week in Jett Strickenberger, and the Big 12 favorite at 165 with Peyton Hall. The Tigers saw the return of Cam Steed and Seth Nitzel, but are still missing Keegan O’Toole and Colton Hawks. After consecutive steps forward, this will be another step up in competition and opportunity for the team to get a win.
**If you are attending this dual in person, it is important to note that it will be held at Mizzou Arena, NOT the Hearnes.**
125lbs: #32 Gage Walker (10-5) vs #14 Jett Strickenbergery (7-5)
Walker gets another top 15 opponent, and this is one of the more dangerous one’s he has seen this season. Strickenberger has recently reeled off three consecutive bonus point wins over ranked opponents, most recently pinning OK State’s Troy Spratley. His record is deceptive, as he has bounced between 125 and 133 this season. Since returning to 125 however he has looked excellent. Strickenberger is one of the bigger 125’s, and his performances are usually reliant on how his weight cut went. Last season and early this season it was an issue, but it looks like that may be resolved.
Walker isn’t a small 125 himself, so the tactics in this match will be one to watch. I think if you can take Strickenberger to deep waters without putting yourself in danger, he becomes much more vulnerable. However with Walker, I’m not sure that he has the style to do that. Walker excels from top, but Strickenberger is dangerous to turn as that is where he reversed Spratley for the fall. I think Walker makes this one interesting but this is a tough matchup for the true freshman.
Prediction: Jett Strickenberger Dec. Gage Walker (MIZ 0 WVU 3)
133lbs: Kade Moore (10-12) vs Tommy Maddox (4-9)
After winning the UFC Fight Pass belt against ASU, Moore has a matchup that could earn it again with a big performance. Maddox is a sixth year senior who transferred to WVU after five seasons at Buffalo. He hasn’t qualified before but was a two-year starter prior. His record isn’t great, and he’s been bonused in six of his losses this season. However he just took blue chipper Cael Hughes to OT, narrowly losing a scramble in sudden victory.