vs
+130 -145
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski · Feb 12, 2023 · Featherweight · Completed
Prev Fight UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski Next Fight
Age 35
Height 5' 8"
Reach 68.0"
Weight 145 lbs.
Stance Switch
Age 32
Height 5' 8"
Reach 72.0"
Weight 145 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Blake Bilder
3.81 SLpM
48.0% Str. Acc.
4.15 SApM
53.0% Str. Def.
0.31 TD Avg
7.0% TD Acc.
71.0% TD Def.
0.6 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Shane Young
5.19 SLpM
40.0% Str. Acc.
5.46 SApM
52.0% Str. Def.
0.63 TD Avg
18.0% TD Acc.
64.0% TD Def.
0.0 Sub. Avg
Blake Bilder
Moneyline
Caesars +130
KO/TKO
FanDuel +950
Submission
BetRivers +410
Decision
FanDuel +420
Shane Young
Moneyline
DraftKings -145
KO/TKO
BetRivers +265
Submission
FanDuel +1200
Decision
FanDuel +240
Blake Bilder - Fight History
LOSS vs Lee Jeong-yeong
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov · Feb 03, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Lee Jeong-yeong 0 49 of 82 59% 75 of 121 2 of 3 66% 0 0 4:29
Blake Bilder 0 19 of 54 35% 36 of 77 0 of 3 0% 0 0 5:18
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Lee Jeong-yeong 0 19 of 29 65% 31 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Blake Bilder 0 8 of 25 32% 9 of 27 0 of 1 0% 0 0 2:23
2 Lee Jeong-yeong 0 20 of 32 62% 32 of 51 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:26
Blake Bilder 0 6 of 22 27% 15 of 35 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:55
3 Lee Jeong-yeong 0 10 of 21 47% 12 of 25 1 of 2 50% 0 0 3:03
Blake Bilder 0 5 of 7 71% 12 of 15 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Lee Jeong-yeong 49 of 82 59% 33 of 62 14 of 18 2 of 2 21 of 40 11 of 11 17 of 31
Blake Bilder 19 of 54 35% 3 of 27 2 of 5 14 of 22 8 of 40 10 of 13 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Lee Jeong-yeong 19 of 29 65% 11 of 18 7 of 10 1 of 1 12 of 22 7 of 7 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 8 of 25 32% 0 of 10 0 of 2 8 of 13 4 of 21 4 of 4 0 of 0
2 Lee Jeong-yeong 20 of 32 62% 14 of 26 5 of 5 1 of 1 5 of 10 3 of 3 12 of 19
Blake Bilder 6 of 22 27% 1 of 14 0 of 1 5 of 7 3 of 17 3 of 5 0 of 0
3 Lee Jeong-yeong 10 of 21 47% 8 of 18 2 of 3 0 of 0 4 of 8 1 of 1 5 of 12
Blake Bilder 5 of 7 71% 2 of 3 2 of 2 1 of 2 1 of 2 3 of 4 1 of 1
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Jan 28, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder as an underdog, citing size advantage and pressure. He notes that Bilder can bully the smaller Lee if he pressures forward and stays busy. He acknowledges Lee's danger and grappling but believes Bilder can squeak out a win.

"I do like him as an underdog here... I think Builder can bully him"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jan 29, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round submission. He notes that Lee is dangerous early with power and a sneaky submission game, but his cardio is questionable and he slows down. Bilder is tough as nails, often drops first rounds but builds into the fight. Brady expects Lee to hurt Bilder in the first round, but Bilder will take over and finish him in the third. He suggests live betting Bilder.

third round, submission, live betting Bilder
"I think Builder is going to take over as the fight goes on and I think he's going to break Lee here and I think he's going to finish him in the third round by submission"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jan 31, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Lee Jeong-yeong

Cody picks Lee, citing Bilder's poor takedown accuracy and suspect chin. He notes Lee's explosiveness and power, and thinks Lee can catch Bilder coming forward. He acknowledges Bilder's grit but sees Lee as the more likely winner.

"I will take Lee"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jan 29, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Lee Jeong-yeong

Lee is fully healthy now and has improved his wrestling, which should allow him to stop Bilder's takedowns. Lee's length and striking advantage should be decisive, and he is expected to win by TKO within the first 10 minutes. Bilder has a tendency to get demoralized if his takedowns don't work.

"I think Lee has a ton of potential and at 28 years old and apparently fully healthy now this guy has a rocket pretty much strapped to his back."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Jan 31, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Lee Jeong-yeong

Paul picks Lee, noting Bilder's disappointing performances and lack of finishing instinct. He thinks Lee's power and aggression can get the job done, though he's not fully confident in the price.

"I'm going to go with Lee here"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jan 30, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Lee Jeong-yeong

The MMA Guru picks Lee Jeong-yeong over Blake Bilder, predicting a first-round TKO. He criticizes Bilder's standup, noting he leaves his chin high. He likes Lee's performance on Road to UFC and believes there is a gap in skill, especially in round one. He also notes Bilder made a competitive fight with Shane Young, which he sees as a negative.

first round TKO
"I'm gonna go with Jong Yong Lee over Blake Builder... I will go with Kong yyong Lee getting a first round TKO."
LOSS vs Kyle Nelson
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 289: Nunes vs. Aldana · Jun 10, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kyle Nelson 0 59 of 126 46% 83 of 150 0 of 1 0% 0 0 2:21
Blake Bilder 0 45 of 120 37% 84 of 159 0 of 3 0% 0 0 2:45
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kyle Nelson 0 19 of 47 40% 28 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:18
Blake Bilder 0 22 of 51 43% 42 of 71 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:22
2 Kyle Nelson 0 19 of 39 48% 23 of 43 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Blake Bilder 0 12 of 30 40% 12 of 30 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:14
3 Kyle Nelson 0 21 of 40 52% 32 of 51 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:03
Blake Bilder 0 11 of 39 28% 30 of 58 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:09
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kyle Nelson 59 of 126 46% 24 of 76 20 of 31 15 of 19 57 of 124 2 of 2 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 45 of 120 37% 26 of 96 2 of 4 17 of 20 45 of 119 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kyle Nelson 19 of 47 40% 10 of 33 6 of 11 3 of 3 17 of 45 2 of 2 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 22 of 51 43% 15 of 44 0 of 0 7 of 7 22 of 50 0 of 1 0 of 0
2 Kyle Nelson 19 of 39 48% 8 of 24 5 of 8 6 of 7 19 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 12 of 30 40% 4 of 20 1 of 2 7 of 8 12 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Kyle Nelson 21 of 40 52% 6 of 19 9 of 12 6 of 9 21 of 40 0 of 0 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 11 of 39 28% 7 of 32 1 of 2 3 of 5 11 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jun 4, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, citing his superior grappling and technical striking. He notes that Bilder is an aggressive grappler who doesn't take unnecessary risks, and that he should be able to control the fight. He acknowledges Kyle Nelson's decent losses and recent grappling improvements, but still believes Bilder gets the win. He considers Bilder for a safety parlay.

"I think the minus 195 odds are actually about right for Blake and he could potentially be in the safety parlay"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 3, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round TKO. He notes that Bilder is extremely tough and has a high pace, while Kyle Nelson has cardio issues and tends to gas in fast-paced fights. Bilder often gets dropped early but comes back, and Nelson's best chance is wrestling, but his cardio will fail. He expects Bilder to take over late and finish.

third round TKO
"I think Blake Builder does exactly that and I think he finishes him late... I'll say third round finish for Blake Builder"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jun 7, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Cody picks Blake Bilder, but suggests live betting him after the first round because Nelson may come out aggressively and could knock Bilder out early. He notes that Bilder has good cardio and a solid one-two, but his defense is shaky. He expects Bilder to take Nelson down and outwork him as Nelson tires. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds in this fight.

Under 2.5 rounds (parlayed with over 2.5 in Oliveira vs Belbiţă)
"I think Blake Builder wins I think big big Builder round two round three props could be interesting but I like the under two and a half rounds"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Jun 9, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Blake Bilder

Connor picks Blake Bilder but is hesitant, noting that the test will come immediately while Bilder is still cold, which could be a prospect loss. He points out that Nelson is a very hard puncher with long reach, and that Bilder's only good sign was against Shane Young, who is not a high-level test. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's opponents tend to be fragile and get knocked out early, but since Bilder hasn't been knocked out yet, he won't pick against him. He thinks the odds movement toward Bilder is notable.

Bilder opened -195, now -233; Nelson opened +173, now +203
"But I I'll take builder. But the guys that Kyle Nelson has beat... all of these fighters you look at the losses that they have and they're all losses where they get knocked out instantly."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jun 8, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Daniel Levi picks Blake Bilder, citing that Bilder has better boxing, pace, and conditioning than Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson has low output and fades, while Bilder has shown a dog mentality and can push a high volume. He acknowledges that Bilder has a questionable chin and has been dropped before, but believes Nelson is too slow and telegraphed to capitalize. He warns against using Bilder as a heavy parlay piece.

"I'm with you I'm gonna go the uh Blake Builder"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Hesitant picked Jun 10, 2023 (fight day)
Blake Bilder

James picks Blake Bilder to win but is not confident at -250. He thinks Bilder is more well-rounded and should get takedowns, possibly finding a submission in round two. However, he notes Kyle Nelson has more UFC experience, hits hard early, and is fighting for his job in Canada. James wouldn't be surprised if Nelson gets an early knockout or a split decision. He advises against laying -250 on Bilder as he's not a minus-250 type fighter.

Kyle Nelson via KO in round 1 at +1100 (small play)
"I'm gonna say Blake Builder gets it done in the second round probably by submission maybe after some early adversity in round one"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jun 6, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Bilder has excellent lateral movement and a well-rounded game, while Nelson's only path is a puncher's chance. Nelson's attempts to grapple have failed due to poor cardio, and Bilder is the superior grappler. Expect Bilder to use his movement to set up takedowns, eventually finding a late submission. The stylistic matchup heavily favors Bilder.

Bilder wins by submission (round 3)
"I think stylistically speaking this is a horrible match of four Kyle Nelson give me Blake Builder probably by third round submission"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Jun 7, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Paul picks Blake Bilder, noting that Nelson has poor cardio and wrestling. He believes Bilder is the better wrestler and will take Nelson down, especially as Nelson fades. He expects a finish in the second or third round. He also mentions that Nelson's best chance is an early KO, but he thinks Bilder will survive and take over.

"I think Blake's gonna take him down I think Blake's gonna start leaning on him I think Blake's just gonna out volume beat him to the punch"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 5, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Kyle Nelson, arguing that Nelson has shown his limit with poor performances and losses to low-level competition. He notes Bilder is undefeated and well-rounded, with a good ground and stand-up game. He believes Bilder's potential is unknown and worth gambling on, expecting him to outpoint Nelson.

"I guess I'll go with Blake Builder over Kyle Nelson"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Jun 9, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Blake Bilder

Zane picks Blake Bilder, noting that Kyle Nelson is a heavy-handed puncher with good takedowns but tenses up and gasses quickly. He believes Bilder is not as breakable as Nelson's previous opponents, having shown grit against Shane Young by fighting back when pressured. Zane thinks Nelson's grappling safety valve won't work against Bilder, who is a good athlete with surprising power. He acknowledges that Bilder is raw and could face early scares, but trusts his durability.

Bilder opened -195, now -233; Nelson opened +173, now +203
"I gotta take build it here the grappling and wrestling has always been a safety valve for Nelson... and uh, yeah, then I got a trust builder's grit."
WIN vs Shane Young
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski · Feb 12, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Blake Bilder 0 80 of 196 40% 81 of 197 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:03
Shane Young 0 111 of 190 58% 126 of 206 1 of 7 14% 0 0 1:43
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Blake Bilder 0 16 of 30 53% 16 of 30 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 19 of 33 57% 27 of 42 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:43
2 Blake Bilder 0 27 of 66 40% 28 of 67 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:03
Shane Young 0 37 of 54 68% 37 of 54 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:00
3 Blake Bilder 0 37 of 100 37% 37 of 100 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 55 of 103 53% 62 of 110 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Blake Bilder 80 of 196 40% 42 of 151 21 of 28 17 of 17 79 of 194 1 of 2 0 of 0
Shane Young 111 of 190 58% 62 of 134 11 of 17 38 of 39 107 of 182 3 of 5 1 of 3
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Blake Bilder 16 of 30 53% 3 of 17 7 of 7 6 of 6 16 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 19 of 33 57% 8 of 22 1 of 1 10 of 10 18 of 30 0 of 0 1 of 3
2 Blake Bilder 27 of 66 40% 15 of 49 8 of 13 4 of 4 26 of 65 1 of 1 0 of 0
Shane Young 37 of 54 68% 15 of 27 6 of 10 16 of 17 35 of 51 2 of 3 0 of 0
3 Blake Bilder 37 of 100 37% 24 of 85 6 of 8 7 of 7 37 of 99 0 of 1 0 of 0
Shane Young 55 of 103 53% 39 of 85 4 of 6 12 of 12 54 of 101 1 of 2 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, believing his aggressive grappling will be too much for Shane Young, who is returning after a layoff and losses. He notes that Young is a solid striker but likely cannot keep the fight standing against Bilder's takedowns. He compares the situation to Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green, suggesting Young is on the card for hometown reasons rather than a career resurgence.

"Blake is definitely gonna be the pick here"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Shane Young

Big Brady is not a big fan of this matchup from a betting perspective. He likes Young's pressure and volume, and thinks Young can stuff takedowns and be the better striker. However, he notes Bilder is dangerous on the ground and leaves openings. He picks Young by decision but with low confidence.

"I'm gonna take Shane Young For the Win I don't feel that great about it"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Cody picks Bilder as an underdog, citing his power, athleticism, and aggression. He notes Young has looked disinterested and lacks physicality, while Bilder is a wild man who can knock people out or submit them. He thinks Young's two-year layoff and poor recent performances are concerning. He likes the fight doesn't go to decision prop.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I will go with the underdog here plus 115 nothing nothing sexy here on Blake Builder"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Connor picks Bilder, believing that despite his passive style and awkward defense, he is a great athlete who can take Young's back at some point. He notes that Young has a habit of drifting out of fights when pressured, and that Bilder's athleticism and ability to capitalize on mistakes could lead to a win. However, Connor is not confident because Bilder's game is very limited.

"I'll stick with Builders. We'll just keep it interesting, I guess."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Shane Young

Young is the crisper striker with better movement and takedown defense. Bilder's path to victory is grappling, but Young's improving takedown defense and ability to get back up will keep the fight standing. Young's speed and precision will allow him to land combinations and eventually find a knockout. Bilder has been hurt in fights before. Young, returning after a layoff, will want to make a statement. Expect a second-round KO.

"I do like the Shane Young side here I do think that he's a good spot to go out there and get a win even a knockout Victory"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that he took the fight doesn't go to decision at -125. He notes Bilder is a wrecking ball and Young has never been impressive. He thinks the fight will be high volatility and likely end inside the distance.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I'm gonna add actually the the fight doesn't go to the decision I see a minus 125 out there"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Shane Young, citing Young's poor performances and long layoff. He believes Bilder's momentum from the contender series and his experience will lead to a first-round finish. He notes Young has let him down too many times.

first round finish
"I'm going to be going with Blake Builder here over Shane Young getting some kind of finish in the first round"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Zane picks Young, citing that Bilder is a passive fighter who starts slow and doesn't do much, allowing opponents to crush him. He notes that Young has a nice off-speed boxing game and can land power shots. However, Zane is hesitant because Young can shut down when he feels physicality he isn't prepared for, and Bilder is a great athlete who could win by accident.

"I'll stick with the young pick. I'll, I want Shane Young to be better than you."
Shane Young - Fight History
LOSS vs Gabriel Miranda
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) R1 0:59 · UFC 293: Adesanya vs. Strickland · Sep 10, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Gabriel Miranda 0 1 of 4 25% 1 of 4 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 2 of 6 33% 2 of 6 1 of 2 50% 1 0 0:32
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Gabriel Miranda 0 1 of 4 25% 1 of 4 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 2 of 6 33% 2 of 6 1 of 2 50% 1 0 0:32
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Gabriel Miranda 1 of 4 25% 0 of 2 1 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 4 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 2 of 6 33% 0 of 2 1 of 2 1 of 2 2 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Gabriel Miranda 1 of 4 25% 0 of 2 1 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 4 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 2 of 6 33% 0 of 2 1 of 2 1 of 2 2 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Sep 3, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Shane Young

Angelo picks Shane Young because he trusts his cardio and takedown defense. He notes that Shane looked stiff in his last fight after a layoff but defended six takedowns before giving one up. The ground gap is big if Gabriel gets it to the mat, but Angelo thinks Shane's takedown defense should hold up.

"The pick is going to be Shane only because I do trust his cardio and I think the takedown defense should be there"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Sep 5, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Shane Young

Big Brady picks Shane Young but is hesitant due to the price. He notes Miranda's early success but fades quickly, and Young's takedown defense should keep it standing. He thinks Young's striking is superior and will pick apart Miranda as the fight goes on. He predicts a second-round knockout.

bet Miranda in first round if you like him
"I like Shane Young striking here and I like him to win this fight down the stretch"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Sep 6, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Gabriel Miranda

Cody picks Miranda as a value underdog, noting that Young is a limited kickboxer with poor takedown defense. He believes Miranda's grappling and size advantage will be the difference, and that he can win by submission or decision. Cody sees this as a dog pick and likes the plus money.

"this to me ends up being one of the dog picks this week Gabriel Miranda"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Sep 7, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Daniel Levi picks Shane Young confidently, citing his durability, cardio, and high volume. He notes that Miranda has never won a decision and tends to wilt in later rounds. Levi believes if Miranda doesn't submit Young in the first round, Young will take over and win by decision. He references Young's ability to survive against top competition like Volkanovski.

Odds mentioned: Young minus 170, Miranda plus 145.
"If he doesn't submit Shane Young in the first round then there's absolutely no chance of him winning."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Sep 7, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Lucrative James thinks Shane Young will win but is not confident enough to bet at the current juice. He notes Young often goes to decision and doesn't push pace anymore, while Miranda fights like a madman and could force a finish. James considered the 'doesn't go to decision' prop at -170 but didn't like the odds. He mentions Young decision at +200 as not bad, but overall he doesn't have a great read on the fight.

Mentions 'doesn't go to decision' prop at -170 (dislikes), Young decision at +200 (not bad).
"I do think he's gonna win... I can't really bet young at juice even though I think he's gonna win"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Sep 6, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Shane Young

Shane Young is on a three-fight losing streak but faces Gabriel Miranda who has poor gas tank management and tends to fade after the first round. Miranda is aggressive early but if he doesn't secure a submission, he gasses and Young will have target practice. Young should avoid early grappling onslaught and finish in the first or second round. The fight doesn't go to decision is a favorite spot.

under 1.5 rounds at +165, fight doesn't go to decision
"I love the plus money I think it was plus 165 that we were getting on the under one and a half but I also really like the fight doesn't go to decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Sep 6, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Gabriel Miranda

Paul picks Miranda, agreeing that Young is uninspiring and that Miranda's grappling should be the key. He notes that Miranda had a tough debut but should be better with a full camp at 145. Paul believes Miranda can get takedowns and control the fight.

"I think it's dogger pass Gabriel Miranda for me"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 4, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Gabriel Miranda

The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Miranda over Shane Young, citing that Young is one of the weaker members of the City Kickboxing team. He notes that Miranda showed heart in his debut loss to Benoit Saint-Denis and has a good ground game, with submissions in the first round. He believes Miranda's grappling will be a problem for Young, who has historically struggled when opponents mix in grappling. He predicts Miranda will secure a rear-naked choke in the second round.

submission in round 2
"I'm gonna have to go against Shane Young when it comes to Gabriel Miranda"
LOSS vs Blake Bilder
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski · Feb 12, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Blake Bilder 0 80 of 196 40% 81 of 197 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:03
Shane Young 0 111 of 190 58% 126 of 206 1 of 7 14% 0 0 1:43
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Blake Bilder 0 16 of 30 53% 16 of 30 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 19 of 33 57% 27 of 42 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:43
2 Blake Bilder 0 27 of 66 40% 28 of 67 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:03
Shane Young 0 37 of 54 68% 37 of 54 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:00
3 Blake Bilder 0 37 of 100 37% 37 of 100 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 0 55 of 103 53% 62 of 110 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Blake Bilder 80 of 196 40% 42 of 151 21 of 28 17 of 17 79 of 194 1 of 2 0 of 0
Shane Young 111 of 190 58% 62 of 134 11 of 17 38 of 39 107 of 182 3 of 5 1 of 3
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Blake Bilder 16 of 30 53% 3 of 17 7 of 7 6 of 6 16 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 19 of 33 57% 8 of 22 1 of 1 10 of 10 18 of 30 0 of 0 1 of 3
2 Blake Bilder 27 of 66 40% 15 of 49 8 of 13 4 of 4 26 of 65 1 of 1 0 of 0
Shane Young 37 of 54 68% 15 of 27 6 of 10 16 of 17 35 of 51 2 of 3 0 of 0
3 Blake Bilder 37 of 100 37% 24 of 85 6 of 8 7 of 7 37 of 99 0 of 1 0 of 0
Shane Young 55 of 103 53% 39 of 85 4 of 6 12 of 12 54 of 101 1 of 2 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, believing his aggressive grappling will be too much for Shane Young, who is returning after a layoff and losses. He notes that Young is a solid striker but likely cannot keep the fight standing against Bilder's takedowns. He compares the situation to Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green, suggesting Young is on the card for hometown reasons rather than a career resurgence.

"Blake is definitely gonna be the pick here"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Shane Young

Big Brady is not a big fan of this matchup from a betting perspective. He likes Young's pressure and volume, and thinks Young can stuff takedowns and be the better striker. However, he notes Bilder is dangerous on the ground and leaves openings. He picks Young by decision but with low confidence.

"I'm gonna take Shane Young For the Win I don't feel that great about it"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Cody picks Bilder as an underdog, citing his power, athleticism, and aggression. He notes Young has looked disinterested and lacks physicality, while Bilder is a wild man who can knock people out or submit them. He thinks Young's two-year layoff and poor recent performances are concerning. He likes the fight doesn't go to decision prop.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I will go with the underdog here plus 115 nothing nothing sexy here on Blake Builder"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Connor picks Bilder, believing that despite his passive style and awkward defense, he is a great athlete who can take Young's back at some point. He notes that Young has a habit of drifting out of fights when pressured, and that Bilder's athleticism and ability to capitalize on mistakes could lead to a win. However, Connor is not confident because Bilder's game is very limited.

"I'll stick with Builders. We'll just keep it interesting, I guess."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Shane Young

Young is the crisper striker with better movement and takedown defense. Bilder's path to victory is grappling, but Young's improving takedown defense and ability to get back up will keep the fight standing. Young's speed and precision will allow him to land combinations and eventually find a knockout. Bilder has been hurt in fights before. Young, returning after a layoff, will want to make a statement. Expect a second-round KO.

"I do like the Shane Young side here I do think that he's a good spot to go out there and get a win even a knockout Victory"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that he took the fight doesn't go to decision at -125. He notes Bilder is a wrecking ball and Young has never been impressive. He thinks the fight will be high volatility and likely end inside the distance.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I'm gonna add actually the the fight doesn't go to the decision I see a minus 125 out there"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Shane Young, citing Young's poor performances and long layoff. He believes Bilder's momentum from the contender series and his experience will lead to a first-round finish. He notes Young has let him down too many times.

first round finish
"I'm going to be going with Blake Builder here over Shane Young getting some kind of finish in the first round"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Zane picks Young, citing that Bilder is a passive fighter who starts slow and doesn't do much, allowing opponents to crush him. He notes that Young has a nice off-speed boxing game and can land power shots. However, Zane is hesitant because Young can shut down when he feels physicality he isn't prepared for, and Bilder is a great athlete who could win by accident.

"I'll stick with the young pick. I'll, I want Shane Young to be better than you."
LOSS vs Omar Morales
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 · Mar 27, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Omar Morales 0 46 of 105 43% 59 of 120 1 of 5 20% 0 0 3:26
Shane Young 0 69 of 144 47% 74 of 150 2 of 2 100% 0 0 1:27
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Omar Morales 0 8 of 14 57% 8 of 14 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:37
Shane Young 0 7 of 14 50% 11 of 19 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:46
2 Omar Morales 0 18 of 37 48% 18 of 37 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:38
Shane Young 0 28 of 61 45% 28 of 61 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:11
3 Omar Morales 0 20 of 54 37% 33 of 69 0 of 3 0% 0 0 1:11
Shane Young 0 34 of 69 49% 35 of 70 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:30
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Omar Morales 46 of 105 43% 17 of 65 19 of 26 10 of 14 40 of 99 6 of 6 0 of 0
Shane Young 69 of 144 47% 48 of 120 7 of 10 14 of 14 59 of 133 9 of 10 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Omar Morales 8 of 14 57% 2 of 5 3 of 4 3 of 5 5 of 11 3 of 3 0 of 0
Shane Young 7 of 14 50% 2 of 9 4 of 4 1 of 1 3 of 10 3 of 3 1 of 1
2 Omar Morales 18 of 37 48% 5 of 20 9 of 11 4 of 6 17 of 36 1 of 1 0 of 0
Shane Young 28 of 61 45% 19 of 50 2 of 4 7 of 7 27 of 59 1 of 2 0 of 0
3 Omar Morales 20 of 54 37% 10 of 40 7 of 11 3 of 3 18 of 52 2 of 2 0 of 0
Shane Young 34 of 69 49% 27 of 61 1 of 2 6 of 6 29 of 64 5 of 5 0 of 0
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Mar 24, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Omar Morales

Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round knockout, likely via head kick. He notes Morales' power and body kicks, and that Young is very hittable with poor striking defense (56% striking defense, absorbs 5.15 strikes per minute). He references Young's last fight where he was hurt by a head kick. He believes Morales is levels above Young technically and will put him away.

Morales by KO round 2; head kick finish
"i'm going to take home morales i'm going to say second round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Mar 24, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Cody leans towards Young as an underdog, noting that Morales is 35 and may have peaked. He thinks Young's volume and pace could be key, and that Morales was hesitant in his last fight. He is tentatively picking Young for the parlay, but is not fully confident.

"i'm gonna pencil in shane young tentatively"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Mar 24, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Omar Morales

The host is confident in Omar Morales to win by second-round KO. He notes Morales' power, pressure, and durability, and believes Shane Young will struggle with Morales' ferocity and size. He compares Young's losses to fighters who pressured him, like Volkanovski and Ludovit Klein, and expects Morales to do the same. He calls Morales his 'strongest lean' on the card and thinks he will overwhelm Young with strikes and possibly a takedown.

"I'll take him by second round ko... probably my strongest lean on this card"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Mar 24, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Paul also leans towards Young, citing Morales' poor game plan against Giga Chikadze and his reluctance to wrestle. He thinks Young's pressure and cardio could be too much for Morales, who has shown low volume. He is not fully confident but likes the underdog value.

"i'm gonna take shane young for the time being"
LOSS vs Ľudovít Klein
KO (head kick and punches) R1 1:16 · UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa · Sep 27, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ľudovít Klein 0 4 of 7 57% 4 of 7 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 1 9 of 13 69% 9 of 13 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ľudovít Klein 0 4 of 7 57% 4 of 7 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Shane Young 1 9 of 13 69% 9 of 13 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ľudovít Klein 4 of 7 57% 0 of 0 1 of 3 3 of 4 4 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 9 of 13 69% 6 of 10 3 of 3 0 of 0 8 of 12 0 of 0 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ľudovít Klein 4 of 7 57% 0 of 0 1 of 3 3 of 4 4 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
Shane Young 9 of 13 69% 6 of 10 3 of 3 0 of 0 8 of 12 0 of 0 1 of 1
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Sep 23, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Ľudovít Klein

Big Brady is high on Klein, impressed by his head kicks and power. He thinks Young is too hittable and doesn't play defense, making him vulnerable to a head kick knockout. He notes Klein is an underdog but looks legit, and the line has moved in his favor.

Klein by second-round knockout; underdog pick; line movement
"give me a i'm going to say second round uh klein knockout here i think he's the better fighter he is an underdog too"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Sep 25, 2020 (2 days before fight)
Ľudovít Klein

Daniel Levi picks Ľudovít Klein, praising his southpaw style, jab, body shots, and signature high kick. He believes Klein's takedown defense and ability to get back up are good, and that Shane Young's iron chin and forward pressure will eventually be his downfall as Klein finds an opening for a knockout. He notes Klein is the first Slovakian UFC fighter.

"i think eventually ludovic klein will find that opening for that high kick and i think he's going to come out here and knock him out so shout out to anyone that took the dog money on ludovic klein"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Sep 26, 2020 (1 day before fight)
Ľudovít Klein

The host picks Ľudovít Klein, citing his higher output, cleaner striking, and recent activity compared to Shane Young. He believes Klein's aggressiveness will be key and that Young's confidence may falter if he can't establish his game early. He predicts a second-round KO for Klein.

under 2.5 rounds (-115)
"I do like klein to win this fight i'm going to say by second round finish but the under two and a half is probably the most intriguing spot."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 20, 2020 (7 days before fight)
Ľudovít Klein

The MMA Guru picks Ľudovít Klein because he is the number two guy out of Eastern Europe, a tough region, and Klein has a more aggressive style. He notes Klein is naturally bigger, fought at lightweight before, and has been active in 2020, while Shane Young hasn't fought since February 2019. He believes Klein is a live dog and could win by finish, possibly a head kick KO.

Klein is a live dog, could be evens odds, win by finish (head kick and punches)
"i'm gonna be going with ludovic klein coming in on short notice because it basically isn't really short notice"
WIN vs Austin Arnett
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 234: Adesanya vs. Silva · Feb 10, 2019
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Shane Young 1 120 of 308 38% 121 of 309 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:17
Austin Arnett 0 77 of 209 36% 78 of 210 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Shane Young 0 39 of 108 36% 40 of 109 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:08
Austin Arnett 0 21 of 65 32% 21 of 65 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Shane Young 0 41 of 94 43% 41 of 94 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:09
Austin Arnett 0 30 of 72 41% 31 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Shane Young 1 40 of 106 37% 40 of 106 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Austin Arnett 0 26 of 72 36% 26 of 72 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Shane Young 120 of 308 38% 69 of 237 32 of 46 19 of 25 119 of 307 1 of 1 0 of 0
Austin Arnett 77 of 209 36% 72 of 201 3 of 6 2 of 2 76 of 208 1 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Shane Young 39 of 108 36% 19 of 80 12 of 19 8 of 9 38 of 107 1 of 1 0 of 0
Austin Arnett 21 of 65 32% 19 of 62 2 of 3 0 of 0 21 of 65 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Shane Young 41 of 94 43% 22 of 70 11 of 15 8 of 9 41 of 94 0 of 0 0 of 0
Austin Arnett 30 of 72 41% 27 of 67 1 of 3 2 of 2 29 of 71 1 of 1 0 of 0
3 Shane Young 40 of 106 37% 28 of 87 9 of 12 3 of 7 40 of 106 0 of 0 0 of 0
Austin Arnett 26 of 72 36% 26 of 72 0 of 0 0 of 0 26 of 72 0 of 0 0 of 0
WIN vs Rolando Dy
TKO (elbow and punches) R2 4:40 · UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards · Jun 23, 2018
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Shane Young 0 57 of 152 37% 58 of 153 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Rolando Dy 0 104 of 215 48% 116 of 230 1 of 5 20% 0 0 1:44
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Shane Young 0 24 of 71 33% 25 of 72 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Rolando Dy 0 52 of 97 53% 54 of 101 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:57
2 Shane Young 0 33 of 81 40% 33 of 81 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Rolando Dy 0 52 of 118 44% 62 of 129 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:47
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Shane Young 57 of 152 37% 41 of 131 13 of 18 3 of 3 49 of 140 8 of 12 0 of 0
Rolando Dy 104 of 215 48% 74 of 183 20 of 22 10 of 10 89 of 191 15 of 24 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Shane Young 24 of 71 33% 14 of 59 8 of 10 2 of 2 20 of 67 4 of 4 0 of 0
Rolando Dy 52 of 97 53% 29 of 72 15 of 17 8 of 8 49 of 93 3 of 4 0 of 0
2 Shane Young 33 of 81 40% 27 of 72 5 of 8 1 of 1 29 of 73 4 of 8 0 of 0
Rolando Dy 52 of 118 44% 45 of 111 5 of 5 2 of 2 40 of 98 12 of 20 0 of 0
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–26, 30–26) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura · Nov 19, 2017
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Alexander Volkanovski 0 68 of 114 59% 79 of 128 5 of 14 35% 0 0 8:21
Shane Young 0 18 of 81 22% 20 of 83 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:16
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Alexander Volkanovski 0 20 of 39 51% 21 of 40 1 of 5 20% 0 0 1:49
Shane Young 0 7 of 33 21% 8 of 34 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Alexander Volkanovski 0 29 of 47 61% 32 of 50 3 of 5 60% 0 0 2:31
Shane Young 0 8 of 41 19% 8 of 41 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Alexander Volkanovski 0 19 of 28 67% 26 of 38 1 of 4 25% 0 0 4:01
Shane Young 0 3 of 7 42% 4 of 8 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:16
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Alexander Volkanovski 68 of 114 59% 36 of 78 11 of 13 21 of 23 40 of 71 14 of 25 14 of 18
Shane Young 18 of 81 22% 11 of 67 5 of 10 2 of 4 15 of 75 3 of 6 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Alexander Volkanovski 20 of 39 51% 6 of 23 5 of 5 9 of 11 16 of 29 4 of 10 0 of 0
Shane Young 7 of 33 21% 3 of 27 4 of 6 0 of 0 5 of 30 2 of 3 0 of 0
2 Alexander Volkanovski 29 of 47 61% 17 of 35 4 of 4 8 of 8 18 of 33 4 of 5 7 of 9
Shane Young 8 of 41 19% 7 of 37 0 of 2 1 of 2 8 of 41 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Alexander Volkanovski 19 of 28 67% 13 of 20 2 of 4 4 of 4 6 of 9 6 of 10 7 of 9
Shane Young 3 of 7 42% 1 of 3 1 of 2 1 of 2 2 of 4 1 of 3 0 of 0
Expert Picks (8)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, believing his aggressive grappling will be too much for Shane Young, who is returning after a layoff and losses. He notes that Young is a solid striker but likely cannot keep the fight standing against Bilder's takedowns. He compares the situation to Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green, suggesting Young is on the card for hometown reasons rather than a career resurgence.

"Blake is definitely gonna be the pick here"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Shane Young

Big Brady is not a big fan of this matchup from a betting perspective. He likes Young's pressure and volume, and thinks Young can stuff takedowns and be the better striker. However, he notes Bilder is dangerous on the ground and leaves openings. He picks Young by decision but with low confidence.

"I'm gonna take Shane Young For the Win I don't feel that great about it"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Cody picks Bilder as an underdog, citing his power, athleticism, and aggression. He notes Young has looked disinterested and lacks physicality, while Bilder is a wild man who can knock people out or submit them. He thinks Young's two-year layoff and poor recent performances are concerning. He likes the fight doesn't go to decision prop.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I will go with the underdog here plus 115 nothing nothing sexy here on Blake Builder"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Connor picks Bilder, believing that despite his passive style and awkward defense, he is a great athlete who can take Young's back at some point. He notes that Young has a habit of drifting out of fights when pressured, and that Bilder's athleticism and ability to capitalize on mistakes could lead to a win. However, Connor is not confident because Bilder's game is very limited.

"I'll stick with Builders. We'll just keep it interesting, I guess."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Shane Young

Young is the crisper striker with better movement and takedown defense. Bilder's path to victory is grappling, but Young's improving takedown defense and ability to get back up will keep the fight standing. Young's speed and precision will allow him to land combinations and eventually find a knockout. Bilder has been hurt in fights before. Young, returning after a layoff, will want to make a statement. Expect a second-round KO.

"I do like the Shane Young side here I do think that he's a good spot to go out there and get a win even a knockout Victory"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 8, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that he took the fight doesn't go to decision at -125. He notes Bilder is a wrecking ball and Young has never been impressive. He thinks the fight will be high volatility and likely end inside the distance.

fight doesn't go to decision at -125
"I'm gonna add actually the the fight doesn't go to the decision I see a minus 125 out there"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 6, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Blake Bilder

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Shane Young, citing Young's poor performances and long layoff. He believes Bilder's momentum from the contender series and his experience will lead to a first-round finish. He notes Young has let him down too many times.

first round finish
"I'm going to be going with Blake Builder here over Shane Young getting some kind of finish in the first round"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Feb 9, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Shane Young

Zane picks Young, citing that Bilder is a passive fighter who starts slow and doesn't do much, allowing opponents to crush him. He notes that Young has a nice off-speed boxing game and can land power shots. However, Zane is hesitant because Young can shut down when he feels physicality he isn't prepared for, and Bilder is a great athlete who could win by accident.

"I'll stick with the young pick. I'll, I want Shane Young to be better than you."