UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2

Angelo believes the first fight was a clear win for Merab, not close as some recall. He thinks Sean's camp is already making excuses by calling Merab the GOAT. He sees no significant improvements from Sean and expects the same pressure wrestling and cardio to overwhelm Sean again. He dismisses concerns about Merab's toe injury as irrelevant.

Big Brady picks Merab Dvalishvili but is very hesitant. He believes Merab should win easily based on his wrestling, but worries about corrupt judges giving rounds to O'Malley if the fight is close. He notes that O'Malley was compromised in the first fight and that the UFC wants O'Malley to win. He ultimately goes with his gut that Merab gets it done by decision, but hates the price tag and suggests O'Malley plus 5.5 might be a good look.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Merab. He emphasizes that O'Malley's instinctual reactions in wrestling are a deep-seated issue that will be hard to overcome. Connor notes that O'Malley's go-to defense of giving up his back and handfighting works against lesser wrestlers but is suicide against Merab. He thinks O'Malley can improve but still loses.

Dvalishvili's high pressure, high pace, and insane cardio are too much for most opponents. Even if O'Malley learned from their first matchup, he won't be able to set up his traps or striking wizardry. Dvalishvili will control the fight, grind it out, and win on the scorecards to remain champion.

The MMA Guru picks Sean O'Malley to win by TKO or decision, citing adjustments and O'Malley's freshness. He believes the first fight was close and O'Malley can improve his takedown defense. He notes Merab's activity and lack of motivation, and thinks O'Malley's striking will be the difference. He predicts O'Malley wins rounds 1, 3, and 5, and possibly gets a TKO in the second or third round. He also mentions potential judging favoritism for O'Malley.

Zane picks Merab Dvalishvili, noting that O'Malley's wrestling defense is fundamentally flawed against Merab's relentless pressure. He believes O'Malley will be better prepared but still expects Merab to force him into a defensive shell and win via pace and takedowns. Zane references the Umar fight as evidence that Merab can be pushed but still wins.

Angelo picks Kayla Harrison based on her Olympic judo credentials and physicality. He acknowledges Peña's toughness and ability to survive, but thinks relying on Kayla gassing is not a real strategy. He notes Kayla has fought 25 minutes before and can win the first three rounds. He finds the odds too wide and is hesitant to bet on Kayla.

Big Brady is confident in Kayla Harrison, citing her ability to take down anyone, including Ketlen Vieira who has great takedown defense. He notes Peña's 23% takedown defense and questions her motivation. He expects Harrison to get the fight to the ground, mix in ground and pound, and eventually submit Peña in the second round. He mentions weight cut concerns but thinks Harrison will dominate if she makes weight.

Connor picks Peña, citing the potential for Harrison to get anxious and gas if Peña pressures her. He notes that Peña's chaotic, relentless style could rattle Harrison, who has shown discomfort in striking exchanges. Connor admits it's a risky pick but thinks the funnier outcome and Peña's ability to exploit Harrison's unease make it plausible.

Harrison is much better than Peña in every area. She will utilize her physicality, judo, and grappling to get Peña to the ground, wear her out, and ground and pound her for a TKO victory, becoming the new bantamweight champion.

The MMA Guru picks Kayla Harrison by decision, citing her physicality and grappling advantage. He criticizes Peña's standup as abysmal and notes Harrison's strength will be too much. He acknowledges Harrison's standup is not great but believes she will out-grapple Peña. He thinks Peña is tough but difficult to finish, so he predicts a decision win. He notes the odds of -600 are too high, suggesting value on Peña by submission.

Zane picks Kayla Harrison, reasoning that Peña's takedown defense is poor and Harrison's judo and top control should be enough to dominate. He acknowledges Harrison's striking is awkward and she can panic, but believes Peña's wild aggression will play into Harrison's strengths. Zane notes the odds are too wide and the fight should be closer to -200.

Angelo picks Joe Pyfer because Kelvin Gastelum is unreliable with poor work ethic and weight issues. He notes Kelvin has a granite chin and power, but Joe is a powerful striker with slick BJJ. He warns Joe not to get frustrated if the knockout doesn't come quickly. He thinks the 4-to-1 odds are fair but not a cakewalk.

Big Brady likes Joe Pyfer more now that the fight is at sea level instead of Mexico City. He believes Pyfer can win by any method: knockout, submission, or decision. He notes Pyfer's size, power, and black belt in jiu-jitsu, and that Gastelum has been submitted before. He thinks a decision is most likely due to Gastelum's durability, but sees Pyfer as the better fighter overall.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Pyfer. He emphasizes that Gastelum's best wins are against smaller or older opponents, and Pyfer's size and power pose a serious threat. Connor notes that Gastelum's defensive flaws and reliance on his chin make him vulnerable, especially at middleweight where he is not as big.

Gastelum can deal with Pyfer's power and then get to his own striking game, blitzing the pocket and landing big shots, possibly mixing in takedowns. His durability, cardio, and strength of schedule will allow him to get the victory over the younger Pyfer.

The MMA Guru picks Joe Pyfer by submission in the first round. He notes Pyfer's muscle advantage and underrated grappling, citing his training with Sean Brady and his submission wins. He believes Pyfer will land big shots early, then take Gastelum down and submit him with an arm triangle. He mentions Gastelum's granite chin but thinks Pyfer can finish him.

Zane picks Joe Pyfer, noting that Gastelum is inconsistent and relies on his chin, which may be fading. He points out that Pyfer is bigger, hits harder, and has a cleaner striking game. Zane references the Hermanson fight where Pyfer won the first two rounds before fading, and believes in a three-round fight Pyfer's early power will carry him.

Angelo picks Patchy Mix despite Mario Bautista's seven-fight win streak. He notes Patchy is a dangerous grappler with 13 submission wins, but is one-dimensional. He thinks if Mario defends takedowns, he can win striking exchanges. However, he is influenced by Josh Thompson's confidence in Patchy and believes Mario's win over Aldo was a bad decision, so MMA karma may favor Patchy.

Big Brady picks Patchy Mix, citing his elite grappling and guillotine. He believes Mix will get Bautista down and stay there, eventually finding a submission. He questions Bautista's resume, noting close fights against Blackshear and Aldo, and thinks there is a levels difference in grappling. He predicts Mix by second-round submission.

Connor picks Patchy Mix, believing his elite grappling and ability to take Bautista down early and control him will be decisive. He acknowledges Bautista's scrambling is excellent but thinks Mix's positional grappling and backpacking style can neutralize Bautista's pressure. Connor admits it's a tough fight and Bautista could win if Mix fades.

Bautista is expected to shut down Mix's grappling game and then outstrike him on the feet, showcasing that he is the better striker. He will put together more damage and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Patchy Mix to finish Mario Bautista, citing Mix's impressive resume including wins over Horiguchi, Magomedov, and Pettis. He believes Mix is in his prime and has too much finishing potential. He predicts Mix will drop Bautista and submit him with a guillotine or anaconda choke in the first or second round. He criticizes Bautista's performance against Aldo.

Zane picks Mario Bautista, citing his relentless pressure, excellent scrambling, and ability to win fights even after being taken down. He notes that Bautista's takedown defense is not great but he is a brilliant scrambler who wears opponents down. Zane thinks Mix's low output striking and reliance on takedowns may not be enough to keep Bautista off him for three rounds.

Angelo picks Vicente Luque over Kevin Holland because he trusts Vicente to execute a game plan, while Kevin is unreliable with poor takedown defense and a lack of care. He notes Kevin's takedown defense is still poor despite his length and jiu-jitsu. He thinks even a fraction of Vicente's wrestling from the Dos Anjos fight will be enough.

Big Brady is very confident in Kevin Holland, citing Luque's recent durability issues and quitting in his last fight. He believes Luque will try to wrestle but Holland is hard to wrestle at welterweight. He expects the fight to stay on the feet where Holland will hurt Luque and knock him out early, possibly in the first round. He notes Luque's brain hemorrhage and that he shouldn't be fighting.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Holland. He emphasizes that Luque has slowed down and his reactions are worse, while Holland is still physically sharp. Connor notes that Holland's best performances come when he is not forced to pressure, and Luque's forward pressure will allow Holland to counter effectively. He sees this as a winnable matchup for Holland.

The host went back and forth on this fight. He ultimately sticks with Kevin Holland winning by knockout due to his speed and power, but notes that Vicente Luque is a very live underdog, especially if he can get takedowns and use his submission game.

The MMA Guru picks Kevin Holland, despite being a big fan of Luque. He believes Holland's range and volume will be key, as Luque struggles against fighters who stay at range and don't overcommit. He notes Holland's durability and ability to fight from bottom. He predicts a decision win for Holland, possibly 29-28, with Luque winning a round.

Zane picks Kevin Holland, noting that when Holland fights on the back foot he uses his jab effectively and looks like a complete boxer. He believes Luque's slower reactions and declining chin will be exploited by Holland's reach and counterpunching. Zane thinks this matchup favors Holland's style, similar to his win over Jack Della Maddalena.

Angelo picks Joshua Van because of his rapid improvements and clean technique. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's power and toughness but thinks Bruno is sloppy and older. He worries about Joshua's chin after the Charles Johnson KO but believes Joshua's striking will be too clean. He notes the odds are becoming unusable at 5-to-1.

Big Brady picks Joshua Van but acknowledges this is his toughest test. He likes Van's volume, pressure, and pace, and thinks he will break Silva in the later rounds. He notes Silva's power and that Van has been finished before, but expects Van to overcome early adversity and knock Silva out in the third round. He cites Silva's history of being finished in the third round.

The fight may be competitive early, but Van's classic style is expected to take over as he batters Bruno Silva through the last 12.5 minutes. Van wins on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Joshua Van, citing his composure, distance control, and improving takedown defense. He notes Bruno Silva is underrated and has power, but Van can slow the fight down and build momentum. He predicts a unanimous decision win for Van, possibly 30-27, with a scare if Van's back is taken.

Angelo picks Azamat Murzakanov confidently, noting his power, wrestling, and durability. He highlights that Azamat has a knockdown in all five UFC fights and showed a second gear when rocked by Alonzo Menifield. He thinks Brendson Ribeiro is hittable and has a quit button. He includes Azamat in a parlay as one of his most confident picks.

Big Brady is confident in Murzakanov despite his age (jokes he is in his 70s). He praises Murzakanov's striking and well-rounded game, and thinks Ribeiro is hittable and doesn't like getting hit. He expects Murzakanov to find a knockout early, possibly in the first round, noting his history of second- and third-round KOs but thinking this one comes sooner.

The fight might be closer than the odds indicate, especially if Murzakanov leans on his striking. Ribeiro has a huge height and reach advantage that could cause trouble, but Murzakanov is expected to eventually get to his grappling and find a ground-and-pound finish.

The MMA Guru picks Azamat Murzakanov, praising his deceptive speed, composure, and power. He compares his striking to Fedor and notes he beat Dustin Jacoby and destroyed Yorgan De Castro. He believes Murzakanov sets traps and will finish Ribeiro by TKO in round one or two. He calls the matchmaking dumb as Murzakanov is a level above.

Angelo picks Waldo Cortes Acosta as an underdog, citing his athleticism, speed, power, and improvements since his loss to Del Lima. He thinks Spivac is unathletic and lumbering, and Waldo's foot movement and power will be too much. He bet half a unit on Waldo because he likes betting dogs at that stake.

Big Brady picks Spivac but is hesitant due to his inconsistency. He notes that when Spivac is on, he ragdolls opponents, but when he faces adversity, he folds. He thinks Spivac should be able to take down Cortes Acosta, who has been taken down by lesser wrestlers, and that Spivac can finish by submission or TKO. He predicts a second-round submission but says he probably won't bet it because of the risk.

Spivac is expected to deal with Acosta's striking, take the fight to the ground, and keep Acosta on his back until a submission opportunity opens. The pick is for Spivac to win by submission.

The MMA Guru picks Serghei Spivac, believing his grappling will be the edge. He notes Spivac had moments against Jailton Almeida and submitted Marcin Tybura. He worries about Spivac's striking but thinks he can take Waldo down and finish by submission or TKO in the first two rounds. He acknowledges Waldo could win again but trusts Spivac's grappling.

Angelo picks Khaos Williams but is hesitant due to the unusual circumstances. He notes Andreas Gustafsson is a live underdog with good grappling and power, but the double weight cut (cutting weight for a canceled fight then cutting again) could hurt his performance. He thinks if Andreas is fine, he could win by pressure. He doesn't love the pick.

Big Brady picks Khaos Williams, citing his durability and fight IQ compared to Gustafsson's previous opponent. He notes Gustafsson is hittable, slow, and only dangerous in the clinch, while Williams is much more durable and has never been knocked out. He expects Williams to knock Gustafsson out in the second round when the fight is at range.

Khaos Williams was closer to -250 earlier in fight week but now finds himself around -190, which is considered a perfect entry. He is expected to land more shots, shut down Gustafsson's grappling, and outdamage him on the way to a decision victory.

The MMA Guru picks Khaos Williams by KO, confident in his one-punch power. He notes Andreas Gustafsson's pressure style will play into Williams' hands, as Gustafsson will enter the danger zone. He acknowledges Williams is not fundamentally sound but has nasty knockout power. He predicts a first round KO.

Angelo picks Wang Cong but is not fully confident. He acknowledges Ariane Lipski's underrated striking and ability to make it competitive. He thinks Wang's power will add up over time and Lipski will become afraid to engage. He notes the odds are almost 4-to-1 and says he will likely avoid betting on this fight.

Big Brady picks Wang Cong, citing her high-level striking and the fact that Ariane da Silva has been finished in five of her losses, four by KO. He thinks da Silva doesn't like getting hit and that Cong can finish her on the feet or by mixing in takedowns, as da Silva's ground game is suspect. He predicts a second-round knockout.

Wang Cong is expected to be more effective with her footwork, distance management, and combinations. She will land more effective damage throughout the fight and chip away at Lipski to win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru confidently picks Wang Cong, citing her superior kickboxing, power, and ability to finish. He notes Ariane da Silva has submission skills but lacks power and is reactionary. He predicts Wang Cong wins by TKO in the first round, dominating exchanges. He mentions Wang Cong's only loss was a fluke submission she would win 8 out of 10 times.

This appears to be a duplicate listing of the same matchup as fight_id 8369. Angelo's pick is the same: Yoo Joo-sang. He is very confident, calling Jeka a bar brawler and praising Yoo's skills. He parlayed Yoo with Azamat Murzakanov.

Angelo picks Quillan Salkilld, citing his striking advantage and ability to defend takedowns. He thinks Yanal will be forced to shoot early due to Quillan's striking. He warns Quillan not to pull guard. He has reservations about the 4-to-1 odds but still picks Quillan.

Big Brady picks Quillan Salkilld, liking his striking, volume, cardio, and size. He thinks Salkilld will win handily, likely by 30-27 decision, but notes the line is wide. He believes Ashmouz is a decent fighter but will be undersized and at a grappling disadvantage. He does not expect a finish.

Salkilld has a skill advantage that should be the difference maker. He needs to maintain distance to avoid Ashmouz's physicality and grinding. The pick is for Salkilld to outdamage and outpoint Ashmouz on the way to a decision victory.

The MMA Guru picks Quillan Salkilld to win, but criticizes the odds of -455 as too high, suggesting he should be around -200. He expects Salkilld to get a finish in the later rounds or win a decision, noting that Yanal Ashmouz has power and knocked out Sam Patterson. He acknowledges Salkilld is not invincible and has been hit before, but believes his technical skills will prevail.

Angelo picks Mark Choinski but is hesitant due to the unusual circumstances. He notes Marquel Mederos was sick last week and had to pull out, which raises concerns about his conditioning. He thinks Mark is a good wrestler with creative striking, but he doesn't wrestle enough. He picks Mark because he can't trust a guy who was too sick to fight days ago.

Big Brady picks Mark Choinski as a live underdog. He notes Choinski's wrestling background and solid top control, and thinks he can take Mederos down and win a competitive decision. He points out that Mederos struggled with Austin Hubbard and Landon Quiñones, and that Choinski is a better wrestler than Hubbard. He acknowledges Mederos has 85% takedown defense but thinks Choinski can still get takedowns.

Choinski makes his UFC debut on short notice but has strong NCAA wrestling credentials. He is expected to take down Mederos, grind him out, and possibly threaten submissions. The pick is for Choinski to win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Marquel Mederos, citing significant reach and height advantages, as well as more experience. He notes Mark Choinski is short and light for the division, and lacks experience. He expects Mederos to use his physical advantages to win.