Angelo picks Mateusz Rębecki because he is exciting and never stops trying to finish. He thinks the fight is either Grant Dawson gets takedowns and dominates, or Rębecki stuffs the first takedown and knocks him out. He admits he can't bring himself to root against the most exciting guy in the division.

Angelo picks Mateusz Rębecki, emphasizing his fast starts, intent to finish, and never-quit attitude. He notes Dawson is a wrestler who will shoot takedowns, but Rębecki has never accepted a position and will keep moving forward. He thinks Rębecki has 15 minutes to find a finish over Dawson, who can be finished. He admits he cannot bet on Rębecki due to his recklessness.

Big Brady leans Grant Dawson, citing his excellent ground game and improved cardio at American Top Team. He notes Rębecki does not wear damage well and has questionable cardio. Brady predicts Dawson will get takedowns and ground-and-pound, leading to a late-round TKO, specifically third round. He also mentions a prop on Underdog for Rębecki under 32.5 significant strikes.

Cody picks Dawson, citing his wrestling advantage and Rebecki's cardio issues. He thinks Dawson can take Rebecki down and control him, avoiding Rebecki's power. Cody expects Dawson to win by decision.

Connor also picks Dawson hesitantly. He emphasizes that Dawson is a mediocre athlete who stifles opponents but often fades late. Rębecki is difficult to discourage and may take over in the third round. Connor notes that most of Dawson's opponents are either finished early or more tired than him in the third, but Rębecki's toughness could change that.

Daniel picks Rębecki, acknowledging Dawson's top control danger but believing Rębecki's grappling with elite opponents and striking advantage will lead to an upset. He notes Rębecki's win over Mctobec Oral as proof of his grappling credentials.

Predicted method: Decision. Dawson's wrestling-heavy approach (3.81 takedowns per round) should overwhelm Rębecki, who has only 50% takedown defense and has lost three of his last four. Rębecki is aggressive on the feet (5.21 SLpM) but leaves himself open to takedowns. Dawson's 1.1 submission average and top control will be key; he can grind out a decision or find a submission. Rębecki's only chance is a knockout, but Dawson has never been knocked out. Expect Dawson to control the fight and win by decision or submission.

Jacob picks Rębecki by first-round knockout at +500. He thinks Grant Dawson has shown he can be dropped easily and that Rębecki will be swinging for the fences. He notes that Dawson has issues in the first round and that Rębecki is a short stocky guy who is hard to take down.

Lucrative James picks Grant Dawson because he believes Dawson's elite wrestling and grappling will overwhelm Mateusz Rębecki if the fight goes past the first round. He notes that Rębecki's only path to victory is an early knockout, as Dawson has been finished early before. He predicts Dawson will win by ground and pound, similar to Diego Ferreira's win over Rębecki.

The host picks Dawson, believing his grappling and gas tank will be superior. He notes that Rębecki throws wide power shots that leave openings for Dawson to get takedowns. He expects Dawson to grind out a decision, though he acknowledges Rębecki's power and grappling background could make it close. He is not interested at -160 but thinks Dawson wins.

Paul leans Dawson but is not fully confident. He notes Dawson's wrestling and Rebecki's vulnerability to takedowns, but also Rebecki's power and durability. Paul expects a close fight but gives Dawson the edge.

The MMA Guru picks Mateusz Rębecki as an underdog, citing his solid takedown defense and ability to get back to his feet. He notes Dawson's chin is a concern after being KO'd by Manuel Torres and Bobby Green. He believes Rębecki's power and durability will catch Dawson, predicting a KO win.

Angelo picks Grant Dawson despite calling him the most boring fighter on the roster. He acknowledges Dawson's excellent wrestling and grappling, and expects him to get takedowns and control the fight. He notes that Manuel Torres is dangerous but believes Dawson's game plan will prevail. Angelo expresses disdain for the entertainment value but respects Dawson's skills.

Big Brady picks Grant Dawson, expecting him to weather Torres' early storm and take the fight to the mat. He notes Dawson's improved cardio and ground and pound at American Top Team, and predicts a second-round TKO via ground and pound.

Cody picks Dawson but is hesitant due to Torres' knockout power. He believes Dawson's wrestling and control will neutralize Torres, as Torres has not shown good takedown defense. He notes that Dawson trains at American Top Team and will likely get early takedowns. He acknowledges the risk of getting knocked out but trusts Dawson's game plan.

Connor picks Grant Dawson by smothering wrestling, noting that Dawson has won 23 of 25 fights and is a proven grinder. He acknowledges that Dawson has never beaten a real hitter and has faded in fights where he didn't crush his opponent early, but still sees Dawson's path to victory through control.

Daniel picks Dawson, believing his relentless grappling will drown Torres if he survives the first round. He notes Torres has never been past the first round and has knockout power, but Dawson's improved striking and top control should prevail in an extended fight. He expects a submission or ground-and-pound TKO.

Lucrative James highlights Grant Dawson's elite wrestling and back-taking ability. He notes that Manuel Torres is a fast starter who fades if he doesn't finish early, and that Dawson's grappling will neutralize Torres' power. He also mentions that Dawson's teammate Chris Duncan has fought Torres before, providing valuable intel. He predicts Dawson wins inside the distance via grappling.

The host views this as a dangerous early fight for Dawson but believes if he can secure takedowns and wear Torres down, his elite lightweight grappling will shine. He expects Dawson to find a finish in the second or third round.

Paul is confident in Dawson, citing his wrestling and control time. He notes that Dawson has dominated grapplers and that Torres' wins are all first-round finishes, which becomes less likely if Dawson gets takedowns. He believes Dawson will smother Torres and win by decision or submission.

The Guru picks Grant Dawson over Manuel Torres, trusting Dawson's elite grappling to survive Torres' early power. He notes Torres has never left the first round and has been submitted before. The Guru predicts a late second or third round submission or ground-and-pound finish.

Angelo picks Grant Dawson to win, expecting his relentless wrestling and control to be effective. However, he plans to bet on Diego Ferreira via 'inside the distance decision no action' prop, believing Ferreira is tough enough to avoid being finished and could potentially finish Dawson. He acknowledges Dawson's boring style but respects his wrestling.

Cody picks Grant Dawson but is hesitant. He acknowledges Dawson's excellent wrestling and cardio, but notes his chin has been exposed (Bobby Green KO, Ricky Glenn draw). Dawson has taken down strong wrestlers like Mark Madsen and Ismagulov. Ferreira is a dangerous striker and BJJ black belt who has been taken down many times but often survives. Cody believes Dawson's wrestling will be the difference, but Ferreira's power and submission threat make it risky. He moves Dawson down in his parlay.

Daniel picks Ferreira, citing his elite Jiu-Jitsu and striking advantage. He notes that Dawson is one-dimensional and has been knocked out before. Daniel is concerned about Ferreira's age (40) but thinks his ground game and striking are superior. He mentions that Dawson's losses are exciting because he gets knocked out, and Ferreira could exploit Dawson's holes.

The host points out Ferreira turns 40 on fight day and expects him to show decline. Dawson is a streaking contender who should implement his wrestling, break down Ferreira, and finish him in the second or third round.

Paul picks Ferreira as an underdog. He notes that Ferreira is a more refined striker with knockout power and a BJJ black belt, giving him multiple paths to victory. Paul points out that Dawson has been knocked out and has cardio issues in later rounds. Ferreira has shown he can survive takedowns and submit opponents. Paul believes Ferreira's chaotic striking and opportunistic submissions will cause problems for Dawson, and at plus money, he sees value.

Angelo picks Grant Dawson despite disliking his fighting style. He notes that Dawson's wrestling and control are reliable, and that Rafa García tends to gas. Angelo acknowledges Dawson's knockout loss to Bobby Green but believes Dawson will win by grinding out a decision. He calls Dawson a reliable bettor's fighter.

Big Brady picks Grant Dawson to win by third-round submission. He considers Dawson a top-15 lightweight with top-10 upside, and believes he is on another level compared to Garcia. He praises Dawson's wrestling and grappling, citing his submission of Jared Gordon and dominant win over Damir Ismagulov. He expects Dawson to get takedowns, wear on Garcia, and eventually find a submission in the second or third round. He thinks Garcia is solid but outmatched.

Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Garcia's game is subtractive but not potent enough to stop Dawson's relentless wrestling. He notes that Garcia's wins over wrestlers like Clay Guida are not indicative because Guida is washed. Connor believes Dawson's suffocating style will eventually get the takedown and control the fight.

Daniel admits he dislikes Dawson's style and believes his striking is elementary, but he respects Dawson's grappling and top control. He notes that Rafa García has decent takedown defense but thinks Dawson will likely grind out a boring decision. Daniel hopes García stuffs takedowns and wins, but his head says Dawson's wrestling will be the difference.

Dawson does not care to entertain but gets wins. He will do what he did to Joe Solecki last time. Garcia may stop the first couple takedowns, but Dawson's great gas tank will wear on Garcia, allowing Dawson to win a classic Dawson decision.

The MMA Guru picks Grant Dawson, citing his phenomenal grappling and talent advantage over Rafa García, who he says has no finishing potential. He notes Dawson's suspect chin and poor stand-up but believes his grappling will easily outclass García. He also mentions Dawson's momentum coming off a win and training with Makhachev.

Angelo picks Grant Dawson because he believes whoever shoots first will win, and Dawson is more willing to dive at legs immediately. He thinks the jiu-jitsu will cancel out, so wrestling will decide it. He also notes that Dawson's recent knockout loss will make him even more eager to wrestle. He likes the over 2.5 rounds.

Big Brady likes Grant Dawson as a GPP play, expecting him to be lower owned. He highlights Dawson's big wrestling advantage, with takedowns and control time leading to ground strikes. He thinks Dawson could get a late finish in the third round. He sees Dawson's path to victory as a ton of takedowns and control.

Cody picks Dawson, criticizing Solecki's lack of improvement and one-dimensional jiu-jitsu. He notes Solecki's striking and wrestling are poor, and he has not evolved his game. Cody highlights Dawson's wins over Jared Gordon and Mark Madsen, and believes Dawson will take Solecki down and grind him out. He calls Solecki a 'Chase Hooper type' who can't get the fight to the ground.

Daniel is not a Dawson believer, citing his poor striking and chin issues. He notes Solecki is a better striker but lacks confidence and may pull guard. He reluctantly picks Dawson but says it's dog or pass.

The host believes Dawson is better everywhere and will dominate Solecki with relentless wrestling and top control. Solecki's submission threat off his back is overrated, and his striking is rudimentary. Dawson should control the pace and position, winning a decision or possibly finding a finish. The host is confident Dawson bounces back emphatically.

Paul picks Dawson, noting the stylistic matchup favors Dawson's grappling and cardio. He believes Dawson's volume and physicality will overwhelm Solecki, who lacks striking and wrestling. Paul mentions Dawson's only recent loss was a flash KO to Bobby Green, and he expects Dawson to get back on track. He added Dawson to a parlay at -350.

Angelo picks Grant Dawson very confidently, highlighting his relentless wrestling and grappling. He notes that Bobby Green has abandoned his wrestling, making him one-dimensional and easy to take down. Dawson will likely ride out a boring wet blanket win. Angelo suggests Dawson can be parlayed.

Big Brady is confident in Grant Dawson, citing his recent improvements since moving to ATT and his dominant performance against Damir Ismagulov. He believes Dawson's wrestling and grappling will be too much for Bobby Green, who he thinks will not be able to stuff takedowns. He acknowledges Dawson's past cardio issues but thinks he has improved and will finish the fight before the fourth round, predicting a second-round submission.

Cody picks Grant Dawson, citing his improved cardio since moving to ATT, his wrestling ability, and his success against similar opponents like Damir Ismagulov. He notes that Bobby Green's takedown defense is good but hasn't been tested by elite wrestlers, and that Dawson's pressure and top control should be decisive. He acknowledges the line is high but believes Dawson is coming into his own.

Daniel Levi picks Bobby Green as a +325 underdog. He argues that Grant Dawson is one-dimensional, relying solely on grappling, while Bobby Green can grapple, strike, and has experience. He notes that Dawson's striking is a C-minus and that Green has never been dominated on the ground except by Islam Makhachev, who is on another level. Levi also questions Dawson's price at -425, pointing out that he was only -200 against Mark Madsen. He trusts his gut that Green can compete and is willing to take a one-unit shot.

Lucrative James picks Dawson to win by TKO, liking the +550 for Dawson by KO. He thinks the fight won't go five rounds and likes the under 4.5 rounds at -230. He believes Dawson will get top position and unleash ground and pound, as seen in past fights. He notes Green has good submission defense but Dawson's wrestling is overwhelming.

Dawson has a clear grappling advantage and should be able to take Green down and control him. Green has poor takedown defense and Dawson has shown improved cardio. Dawson likely grinds out a decision win, as Green is tough to finish. The over 4.5 rounds and Dawson by decision are good prop plays. I'm not hot on the moneyline but expect Dawson to win.

Paul is tempted by Bobby Green at +320, noting that Green is difficult to take down and that Dawson's striking volume is low. He suggests Green could win by decision and that the value is appealing, but he is not fully committed. He mentions that if the number climbs, he might put a little on Green.

Angelo picks Damir Ismagulov, citing his well-rounded skills, cardio, and ability to adjust. He believes Damir's striking is light years ahead of Grant Dawson's, and while Dawson is a good wrestler, he's not Arman Tsarukyan. He expects a razor-thin decision but thinks Damir gets it done. He avoids betting due to Damir's lack of finishing ability.

Big Brady picks Grant Dawson to win by decision, but is cautious. He notes Ismagulov has been dealing with injuries and looked off in his last fight, and has announced this is his retirement fight. Dawson has improved at American Top Team, with better striking and cardio. Brady thinks Dawson's wrestling and control will be key, and he can win a close decision, though he warns against being too confident either way.

Cody leans Dawson because of his wrestling and recent improvements, especially taking down Olympic wrestler Mark Madsen twice. He notes Ismagulov's takedown defense was exposed by Arman Tsarukyan (7 takedowns) and that Ismagulov fights to his opponent's level with low volume. Cody also mentions Dawson's cardio has improved, as shown by two straight third-round finishes. He considers it a close fight likely to go to decision.

Daniel picks Ismagulov but with low confidence, hinging on which version shows up after health issues and a brief retirement. He notes Ismagulov's striking is far superior to Dawson's, and if he can stuff takedowns (despite being taken down 7 times by Tsarukyan), he should win easily. However, he is concerned about Ismagulov's health and motivation, and reserves the right to change his pick after weigh-ins. He sees Dawson as a one-dimensional grappler with poor striking, but acknowledges his relentless wrestling and guillotine threat.

James leans towards Ismagulov, believing he should be about a 60% favorite. He thinks Ismagulov's striking is cleaner and that he can defend takedowns well, as he did against Arman Tsarukyan early. He notes Dawson's cardio issues and that Ismagulov's cardio is strong, but he hasn't finished his tape study yet. He also mentions the retirement concern but says if Ismagulov is still the same fighter, he wins.

Paul agrees with Cody, citing Dawson's move to American Top Team and his improved cardio and wrestling. He notes Ismagulov's retirement announcement and return, suggesting lack of motivation. Paul thinks Dawson's pressure and takedowns will be the difference, but acknowledges Ismagulov's cardio and durability.

Angelo picks Dawson, citing his better overall striking and wrestling. He notes Madsen is an Olympic wrestler but doesn't always use it, and Dawson has takedowns in every fight. He thinks the extra week of preparation helps Dawson. He does not bet the moneyline but considers a prop on Madsen +3.5.

Big Brady believes the line is off and Madsen is being disrespected. He highlights Madsen's Olympic-level wrestling, improved striking, and cardio, while Dawson is hittable and coming in on short notice. He expects Madsen to keep the fight on the feet, stuff takedowns, and out-strike Dawson to win a decision.

Cody picks Mark Madsen as an underdog, but is on the fence. He notes that Dawson has struggled against strong grapplers, like Leo Santos (close fight) and Ricky Glenn (gassed and got a 10-8 round). Madsen has superior wrestling and could be the one getting takedowns and grinding on Dawson. Cody points out that Madsen's fight against Vince Pichel was close, and he thinks Madsen could win a tight decision by mixing in takedowns and using his jab and leg kicks, as he did against Clay Guida. He sees this as a dog or pass spot.

Daniel Levi picks Mark Madsen as an underdog, citing his top control and ability to neutralize Grant Dawson's guard pulls. He notes Dawson's suspect gas tank in later rounds, as seen in the Rick Glenn fight, and believes Madsen's Olympic-level wrestling and slightly better striking pop can secure a win. He is not super convicted but likes the dog odds.

The host favors Dawson due to youth, athleticism, and superior grappling. He notes Madsen's improved striking but believes Dawson's wrestling and BJJ will be too much. He expects Dawson to mix output on the feet with grappling, potentially getting a late finish or decision. He sees Dawson as parlay material at -230.

Paul is also on the fence but picks Madsen for the show. He argues that Madsen could be live because MMA judging often rewards control time, as seen in the Pichel fight where Madsen got the decision despite being outstruck. In the Apex, Madsen can lay on top and tick away the clock. He thinks Dawson should win, but Madsen's style could lead to a close decision. Paul considers it a dog or pass spot.