UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva

Angelo picks Jean Silva, calling him the fighting nerds' last hope. He says Silva is a powerful striker, loose, creative, and composed. He notes Diego Lopez has dangerous BJJ and power, but his technique goes out the window as the fight goes on, and he is too busy coaching others. He thinks Silva will beat the hell out of Lopez, and the odds reflect that accurately.

Big Brady picks Silva because of his exceptional power and Lopes's poor striking defense. He notes Lopes has only two takedowns in the UFC and Silva has good takedown defense, so the fight stays standing. He predicts Silva knocks out Lopes, who has been knocked out twice before, in the third round.

Connor picks Jean Silva, emphasizing Silva's superior positioning and distance management, which he compares to Anderson Silva. He notes that Silva's natural feel for the fight and ability to remain unanxious will allow him to handle Lopes's pressure. Connor acknowledges Lopes's power and durability but believes Silva's style is better suited for an unstructured fight, where his innate skills shine.

The host believes people are realizing Lopes is not as good as he seemed. He expects Silva to dictate the pace, take the center, land big shots, break Lopes down, fend off takedowns, and eventually find a knockout, cementing himself as a top contender.

The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes, arguing that Jean Silva is being overhyped and that the 'Fighting Nerds' mystique has faded. He notes Lopes has championship experience, having gone five rounds with Volkanovski, and crashes well, which will trouble Silva. He believes Silva's loose, goofy style will be shut down when Lopes lands power. He predicts a second-round finish.

Zane picks Jean Silva, citing Silva's natural positioning and ability to evolve over rounds, which allows him to time opponents better as the fight progresses. He notes that Silva's lack of anxiety and tendency to stay composed under pressure will be key against Lopes's aggressive but unstructured style. Zane acknowledges Lopes's finishing ability and toughness but believes Silva's natural gifts and adaptability will prevail in an unstructured fight.

Angelo picks Rob Font, despite his age (38) and lack of takedown defense. He says Font is a technical striker with clean hands, good chin, and veteran composure. He thinks David Martinez, stepping up on short notice, probably won't look to wrestle unless losing the striking exchanges, and by then it's too late. He says the over 2.5 is probably rock solid. He also mentions a David Martinez inside the distance decision no action prop.

Big Brady picks Font because Martinez is a big step down in competition. He notes Font has fought and lost to elite fighters, but has beaten lower-level opponents. He likes Font's volume, cardio, and experience. He predicts a decision win, though he acknowledges Martinez has power and Font can be hurt.

Connor picks Rob Font, emphasizing Font's reach advantage and high-output one-two, which will trouble Martínez's in-and-out striking style. He notes that Martínez struggled with the jab against Xavier Franklin and Font is a better version of that. Connor acknowledges Font's age (38) but says his chin hasn't gone yet, and Martínez lacks the power or wrestling to exploit it.

Martinez has received a lot of love, moving from +180 to +115, and the host agrees. He believes Martinez is closer to his prime, dangerous in striking, treads distance well, and will counter Font's output. He expects Martinez to stuff takedowns and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Rob Font, dismissing David Martinez as unproven with wins over low-level opponents. He believes Font's jab and reach will be key, and that Martinez's single-shot explosivity won't trouble Font. He predicts a decision win, possibly 30-27 or 30-26, as Martinez loses composure when peppered with jabs.

Zane picks Rob Font, highlighting Font's consistent output, power, and experience against top competition. He notes that Font's losses have come only against elite fighters with superior wrestling or power, and Martínez lacks both. Zane believes Martínez's step up in competition is too large, and Font's one-two and takedown to seal rounds will be decisive.

Angelo picks Jared Gordon, calling him the better overall fighter and more well-rounded. He notes Gordon is a good wrestler with high volume striking, tough and busy. He says he has seen Rafa Garcia get decisions that weren't his, and Jared Gordon not get decisions that should have been his. He is surprised to see Gordon as a 3-to-1 favorite. He suggests Rafa Garcia plus 3.5 as a possible bet.

Big Brady picks Gordon due to his pace, volume, and recent power. He worries about corrupt judges but expects Gordon to win a decision. He notes Garcia is tough and has only been knocked out by Grant Dawson, so a finish is unlikely.

Connor picks Jared Gordon, emphasizing Gordon's technical boxing and ability to impose his game plan. He notes that García's loss to Chris Gruetzemacher shows he can be outworked, and Gordon is a more dangerous fighter than Gruetzemacher. Connor believes Gordon's pressure and sharper striking will overcome García's durability and lack of strategy.

Gordon is a big fan favorite and the host believes Garcia's lack of knockout threat allows Gordon to dictate the pace. He expects Gordon to stay on the gas, put Garcia against the cage, land takedowns, and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Jared Gordon, calling him the most underrated lightweight on the roster. He argues Gordon's boxing is superior to Garcia's and that Garcia lacks power. He criticizes Garcia's wins as unimpressive and believes Gordon should be a bigger favorite. He predicts a dominant performance with a TKO in the late second round, possibly including a 10-8 round.

Zane picks Jared Gordon, citing Gordon's improved boxing form and power, which should allow him to land the bigger shots. He notes that García is durable but lacks power and a strategic approach, often floating through fights. Zane believes Gordon's consistent pressure and sharper striking will win a three-round war, as García's lack of imposition makes him vulnerable.

Angelo picks Kelvin Gastelum, calling him a great wrestler and striker with an unbelievable chin, but wasted talent due to poor work ethic. He says this is the easiest matchup Kelvin has had in five years, and he should win the striking exchanges and eat whatever comes back. He notes concern about Kelvin's takedown defense after the Sean Brady fight, but thinks he should be a better wrestler than Stoltzfus. He says the line should be wider but isn't because people can't trust Kelvin.

Big Brady picks Gastelum as the better striker who should keep the fight standing. He notes Stoltzfus is not on Gastelum's level and that a loss would be Gastelum's worst. He predicts a decision win but says he won't bet on it.

Connor picks Gastelum hesitantly, noting that Stoltzfus is glacially slow and has been knocked out multiple times. However, he warns that Gastelum could have a Punahele Soriano-like performance where he fails to impose himself and gets outworked. Connor believes Gastelum's athleticism and scrambling will be key, but he is not confident.

Despite Gastelum's inconsistency, the host sees this as a fight he should win. He expects Gastelum to showcase his takedown defense and pressure with power striking, leading to a knockout in the second or third round.

The MMA Guru picks Kelvin Gastelum, believing he has a clear advantage in technical ability and power. He notes Stoltzfus has been knocked out multiple times and lacks the tools to drop or ragdoll Gastelum. He predicts a TKO win in the middle of the fight, possibly late first or second round, as Gastelum pressures and finishes a tiring Stoltzfus.

Zane picks Gastelum hesitantly, acknowledging that Stoltzfus could replicate his win over Punahele Soriano by pressuring and outworking Gastelum. He notes that Gastelum is still athletic and durable but has shown a tendency to not consider bad positions. Zane believes Gastelum's scrambling ability and power will be enough, but he can easily see this fight looking like the Soriano fight.

Angelo picks Alexander Hernandez, noting he is hitting his stride lately, explosive, well-rounded, and a good athlete. He says this feels like a great fight for Hernandez, fighting an older guy at home (San Antonio). His only concern is that Hernandez cuts easily, which could affect judging. He says if the odds are reasonable, he will bet on him.

Big Brady leans toward Ferreira because Hernandez fades late in fights. He notes Hernandez is explosive early but has poor cardio and was put together on short notice. Ferreira is durable and has finished fights late. He predicts Ferreira wins by third-round knockout after weathering an early storm.

Connor picks Ferreira, emphasizing that Hernandez's inability to handle pressure will be exploited. He notes that Ferreira is a dangerous grappler and powerful striker, and Hernandez's wrestling won't be an easy out. Connor acknowledges Ferreira's age but says if not for age, he would pick Ferreira without question.

Hernandez is making a quick turnaround, but the host believes he is up against it. He expects Ferreira to stave off Hernandez's early power and explosivity, then wear him down with pace, pressure, and grappling, winning on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Carlos Diego Ferreira as an underdog, believing he will 'fraud check' Alexander Hernandez. He highlights Ferreira's win over Michael Johnson and competitive fights with Gamrot and Rebecki. He argues Hernandez struggles against veteran fighters and that Ferreira is a step above Hernandez's previous opponents. He predicts a second or third round TKO.

Zane picks Ferreira, citing his experience, aggressive inclination, and power. He notes that Hernandez is allergic to pressure and struggles when backed up, while Ferreira will pressure him. Zane acknowledges Ferreira's age (40) but believes his style and dangerous grappling will neutralize Hernandez's wrestling and force him into uncomfortable exchanges.

Angelo picks Santiago Luna, calling him 'Border Boy' and the physical embodiment of the Mexican fighting spirit. He notes Luna is tough, athletic, with an incredible chin, and can strike and grapple. He says off tape alone, Luna wins, but acknowledges he only has six fights against nobodies. He is confident because he has seen Luna in trouble and he pushed through, unlike many undefeated prospects who fold. He says he'll keep an eye on line movement and might sprinkle.

Big Brady picks Luna because he is more durable and hits harder than Le. He notes Luna has a wrestling background but is willing to brawl, while Le has been knocked out before and reacted poorly to shots. He predicts Luna wins by second-round knockout.

Connor picks Quang Le, emphasizing Le's wrestling-heavy approach that will exploit Luna's lack of defensive wrestling experience. He notes that Le's fear of striking exchanges will drive him to take Luna down repeatedly. Connor acknowledges Luna's potential but believes he is being pushed too fast and will struggle against a determined wrestler.

Luna comes from a wrestling background and the host expects him to get to his wrestling easily. Even if he can't control Le for long, his power striking should do the talking, leading to a win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru leans towards Santiago Luna in his debut, noting he is well-rounded and undefeated at 6-0. He contrasts Luna with Quang Le, who he sees as a pure striker/kickboxer who beat a slow Gaston Bolaños. He admits it's hard to tell but goes with Luna.

Zane picks Quang Le, citing Le's wrestling fallback and ability to take down and control opponents. He notes that Luna is a raw prospect with attitudinal skills but no refinement, and Le's determination to wrestle will likely overwhelm Luna. Zane acknowledges Luna's power and aggression but believes Le's experience and game plan will prevail.

Angelo picks Dusko because he is the more well-rounded guy and has fought better competition. He calls the odds 'stupid as hell' and says there's no way Dusko wins 74 out of 100 times. He notes Medina is a ground-and-pound fighter with decent striking but not particularly fast or powerful, while Dusko is a technical striker with power and takedowns, though his chin is questionable. He says neither guy is very good.

Big Brady picks Todorović despite his poor chin and striking defense, because Medina is even worse. He notes Todorović has good wrestling and ground-and-pound, while Medina has 31% takedown defense and no ground game. He predicts Todorović wins by second-round TKO via ground-and-pound.

Despite Todorovic's durability issues, the host sees this as a winnable matchup. He expects Todorovic to utilize his grappling, control Medina from top position, and eventually secure a submission.

The MMA Guru confidently picks Duško Todorović, noting he is a -325 favorite in 2025, which he sees as a clear sign. He dismisses José Medina as lacking power, athleticism, grappling, and jiu-jitsu, calling him a 'flabby big Latin guy' who shouldn't be in the UFC. He believes Todorović is more well-rounded and a better fighter.

Angelo is torn on this fight. He calls Puelles a 'butt scooter' who looks like a puppy cleaning a dingleberry, but acknowledges his takedowns looked improved in his last fight. He says if Puelles' takedowns look as good as they did last time, he wins. He admits his gut won't let him say it out loud, but he's leaning Puelles. He notes Silva is a BJJ guy with big power and explosive striking, always looking for the knockout.

Big Brady leans toward Silva because Puelles is one-dimensional and has no plan B if his grappling fails. He notes Silva has a BJJ base, power on the feet, and has hurt top competition. He predicts Silva wins by second-round knockout, as Puelles has been knocked out before and Silva has the power to do it.

Silva is a big fan favorite and the host is surprised he is an underdog. He notes Silva has never been submitted and has a striking advantage. He expects Silva to fend off takedowns, walk Puelles down, and win by knockout in the second or third round.

The MMA Guru picks Joaquim Silva, expressing disdain for Claudio Puelles' jiu-jitsu style. He describes Silva as a strong, powerful, explosive lightweight who can cause problems on the feet. He criticizes Puelles as a 'martial artist, not a fighter' and recalls his quit against Dan Hooker. He believes Silva's power will be a big factor.

Angelo picks Tatiana, believing her wrestling will be too hard to consistently stop. He notes she is a dominant wrestler with almost five takedowns per 15 minutes, though her striking is just okay. He acknowledges Lemos has a ton of high-level experience and power, but thinks Tatiana's relentless pressure and ability to find a submission could be key. He mentions the -400 odds are tough to lay four units on someone coming off a loss, but still picks Tatiana.

Big Brady picks Suarez despite her poor last performance against Jandiroba, noting Lemos fared even worse against the same opponent. He highlights Lemos's inability to stuff takedowns and suspect submission defense. He predicts Suarez wins by second-round submission, though he has concerns about her cardio and striking defense.

The host considers this a horrible stylistic matchup for Lemos, expecting Suarez to land takedowns, work to a dominant position, and eventually secure a submission. This is a strong pick with high confidence.

The MMA Guru picks Tatiana Suarez, believing her grappling will be decisive. He notes Lemos has been outgrappled before and her aggressive style (big power swings, guillotine attempts) will leave her open to Suarez's takedowns. He predicts a second or third round ground-and-pound TKO, possibly from crucifix position.

Angelo picks Luis Gurule, noting he is a light-on-his-toes striker with forward pressure and decent power. He says Jesus Aguilar is a solid grappler with a knack for guillotines, but is a one-trick pony. He thinks everyone knows Jesus is looking for the guillotine, so if you expect it, you can avoid it. He calls Jesus a very good dog and says he'll probably try to find a prop bet like win inside distance or decision no action for Jesus.

Big Brady picks Gurule as the much more well-rounded fighter with better striking and wrestling. He notes Aguilar's only threat is the guillotine, and if Gurule watches his neck, he should dominate. He predicts Gurule wins by decision, keeping the fight standing and picking Aguilar apart.

Despite Gurule's previous knockout loss, the host sees this as a winnable matchup. He believes Aguilar's power shots are telegraphed, allowing Gurule to avoid danger, apply pressure, and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks underdog Jesus Aguilar, disagreeing with Gurule being a -200 favorite. He notes Aguilar's stocky, dangerous style and ability to trouble opponents, citing his KO of Shannon Ross. He sees Gurule as unproven in the UFC, coming off a KO loss, and believes Aguilar has shown more ability across distance.

Angelo picks Reese confidently, calling Dumas a disaster and not very good. He notes Reese is a massive middleweight with size and strength, well-rounded, though his wrestling is inconsistent. He says Dumas is scrappy but not skilled or dangerous, and if Reese lands a takedown or big bomb, he finds a finish. He mentions Reese is almost a 3-to-1 favorite and should be.

Big Brady picks Reese because Dumas has shown no durability, heart, or volume in the UFC. He criticizes Dumas's training environment and legal issues. He predicts Reese finishes Dumas in the first round by submission, though he notes Reese himself has questionable durability and cardio.

Reese is expected to return to his early finishing ways after defending Dumas's takedowns. The host believes Reese will dictate the pace, land big shots, and produce a round one knockout, showing strong confidence in his power and timing.

The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese, citing his athleticism, kicks at range, and ability to finish. He expects Reese to hurt Dumas with body kicks and predicts a finish late in the first or second round. He also questions Dumas's discipline and commitment due to legal issues, making him untrustworthy.

Angelo picks Costa, noting he is a solid striker with good takedown defense and real power, though he can be low volume. He thinks Coria is a busy grappler but may be too slow and hittable. He says the odds at -350 seem wide for a competitive fight, but still goes with Costa.

Big Brady picks Costa due to his power, BJJ black belt, and level of competition faced. He notes Costa is hittable with a questionable chin but has only lost to top flyweights. He expects Costa to win by any method, possibly submission if the fight goes to the ground, but acknowledges the line is steep at -430.

Costa is favored due to his leg kicks, BJJ black belt, and power, but the host is skeptical of the big chalky line. Despite this, he expects Costa to put together enough work to win on the scorecards, though not confidently.

The MMA Guru confidently picks Alessandro Costa, noting his experience against top flyweights like Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg. He describes Costa as explosive, dangerous, and powerful, while dismissing Alden Coria as a short-notice debutant who hasn't beaten anyone of note. He gives Coria only a 1 in 10 chance of an upset.

Angelo buys into the hype on Alice, a 19-year-old striker with good speed, power, and takedown defense. He notes she is a hyped prospect and the UFC is promoting her heavily. However, he is concerned about her limited MMA experience and the matchup against a grappler with takedowns. He says he would pick Montserrat if he hadn't watched her get out-struck despite getting takedowns in her last fight. He says he cannot bet here.

Big Brady picks Rendon because she has UFC experience and can wrestle/grapple, while Pereira is a complete unknown with poor competition. However, he calls it a '1-800 gambler matchup' and says he would never bet on it. He notes Pereira looked good but only against mall security-level opponents.

Pereira is seen as a promising prospect despite being young and wild. The host expects her to fend off Rendon's grappling and use her power to win by knockout, making a dominant statement in her UFC debut.

The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Alice Pereira, acknowledging her youth and the risk of fading women's MMA prospects. He notes Pereira has power to finish on the feet and consistent finishes, but her last performance was weak. He contrasts her with Montse Rendon, who he sees as unimpressive with only moderate grappling. He trusts Pereira's well-roundedness as a slight favorite.

Angelo picks Donchenko because he sees him as the more well-rounded fighter overall. He notes that Donchenko is a nasty striker with power who chops down the tree with leg kicks and fires clean rights, though he can fade. He acknowledges that Sezinando is a gritty grinder with good cardio and jiu-jitsu, but limited skill set. Angelo says 'boring ass control from Sezinando would not surprise me' but ultimately goes with Donchenko.

Donchenko's aggressive Muay Thai style is expected to shut down Sezinando's grappling. The host predicts Donchenko will secure a finish in the second or third round, indicating confidence in his striking advantage and ability to overwhelm his opponent.

The MMA Guru picks Daniil Donchenko, citing his superior conditioning, toughness, power, and high volume. He notes that Donchenko is devastating on the inside with hooks and combinations, which will be key when Rodrigo tries to push him against the cage. He predicts a round two TKO, as Donchenko will capitalize on Rodrigo's stalling wrestling style.