UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos

Daniel picks Curtis Blaydes to win via ground-and-pound TKO in the third round. He notes that Blaydes' grappling is dominant and that JDS has historically struggled with wrestlers. He acknowledges JDS's puncher's chance but believes Blaydes will avoid getting caught and wear him down.

The MMA Guru picks Curtis Blaydes, citing his dominant wrestling game and recent TKO wins over Shamil Abdurakhimov and Aleksei Oleinik. He notes Junior dos Santos is coming off a KO loss to Francis Ngannou and questions his commitment. He predicts Blaydes will rag-doll dos Santos and finish him by TKO in the second or third round via ground-and-pound.

Daniel picks RDA to win by decision, acknowledging that Chiesa might give him some trouble early with his grappling and size. He notes that RDA has been taken down 28 times in his last four fights but believes RDA's superior striking and jiu-jitsu will prevail. He mentions that RDA is on the tail end of his career but still the better fighter.

The MMA Guru picks Michael Chiesa, emphasizing that the fight is three rounds, which favors Chiesa's ability to hold dos Anjos down for two rounds. He notes Chiesa is a large welterweight with a significant reach advantage, and that dos Anjos may come back in the third but it will be too late. He predicts Chiesa wins the first two rounds and loses the third, winning by decision.

Daniel picks Jordan Espinosa as a live underdog, citing his speed, explosiveness, and potential to catch Perez. He notes that Espinosa has been disrespected by the odds and sees value at +225. He acknowledges Perez's cage-cutting and wrestling but thinks Espinosa can win a decision if he avoids mistakes.

The MMA Guru picks Jordan Espinosa, citing his long reach and TKO power at flyweight. He acknowledges it's a tough fight to call but believes Espinosa's reach advantage on the feet will be key. He mentions Espinosa's loss to Matheus Nicolau by triangle choke but still favors him.

Daniel picks Hannah Cifers to win a split decision, possibly controversial. He trusts Cifers' power and hometown crowd, and notes that Angela Hill often doesn't fight to her potential. He respects Hill's skills but thinks Cifers can pull off the upset.

The MMA Guru picks Angela Hill, noting she is long for the division, rangy, and awkward. He believes Hannah Cifers will struggle to get inside. He also mentions Hill's win over Ariane Carnelossi and feels Hill performed better against Jodie Esquibel.

Daniel picks Jamahal Hill by split decision, expecting a gritty fight. He believes Hill's athleticism, reach, and output will be too much for Stošić, who tends to be slow and low-volume. He notes that Stošić has power but thinks Hill can avoid his big shots and win a close decision.

The MMA Guru picks Jamahal Hill, expressing frustration with Darko Stošić for letting him down in past bets. He believes Stošić is too small for light heavyweight and that Hill, being undefeated from the Contender Series, is bigger and newer to the sport. He predicts Hill will finish Stošić in the first round.

Daniel picks Bevon Lewis to win, but cautions that he is a heavy favorite and to proceed with caution. He notes that Townsend has poor takedown defense and cardio, and that Lewis is better in wrestling, clinch, and cardio. However, he questions Lewis's confidence after a knockout loss and a tentative performance.

The MMA Guru picks Bevon Lewis, noting he was doing well against Uriah Hall before getting caught, and had a close split decision loss to Darren Stewart. He views Lewis as much younger and more athletic than Townsend, who was annihilated by Oskar Piechota.

Daniel picks Arnold Allen to win all three rounds, citing his youth, speed, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Allen has improved his takedown defense and should be too sharp for Lentz. He mentions that Lentz is a crafty veteran but coming off a KO loss and that Allen is a decade younger.

The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen, emphasizing his 6-0 UFC record and youth at 25. He believes Allen is more athletic, trains at Tristar with Kevin Lee and Maksudbek, and will dominate Nik Lentz similarly to his win over Gilbert Melendez. He stresses Allen needs a finish to make a statement and expects him to get it.

Daniel picks Justine Kish to win by decision, believing she is motivated and can return to her early UFC form with forward pressure. He notes that Pudilová has lapses in her fights and that Kish has experience against top-15 opponents. He thinks Kish's intensity will be the difference.

The MMA Guru picks Lucie Pudilová, citing her better record and lesser reach advantage. He doesn't show much interest in the fight, noting the women's flyweight division is thin and that being in the top 15 is basically the standard.

Daniel picks Montel Jackson to win by third-round TKO, citing his reach advantage, discipline, and athleticism. He notes that Colares is tough but tends to gas and get his back taken. He believes Jackson's long limbs and technical striking will be too much.

The MMA Guru picks Montel Jackson, calling him a sleeper. He notes Jackson's two-fight win streak including a submission over Brian Kelleher, and highlights his longer reach, athleticism, and more experience against top competition. He believes Jackson will get the job done and is someone to watch.

Daniel picks Lina Länsberg for the upset, predicting that McMann will dominate the first round but then fade and get cut open by elbows in the second. He notes that McMann has a history of quitting and that Länsberg has improved her takedown defense. He expects a cut stoppage in the second round.

The MMA Guru picks Lina Länsberg based on recency and activity, noting Sara McMann is 49 years old and hasn't fought since 2018. He acknowledges the women's bantamweight division is mixed but believes Länsberg's recency and ability to hold McMann against the cage will be key.

Daniel picks Brett Johns by submission, citing his superior jiu-jitsu and opportunistic grappling. He notes that Gravely has been submitted multiple times and that Johns is a black belt who can capitalize on any opening. He believes Johns' experience against top competition will show.

The MMA Guru picks Brett Johns, noting his 15-0 record before losses to top bantamweights Pedro Munhoz and Aljamain Sterling. He believes Johns is still an absolute beast, fights out of Wales, and is a big bantamweight who will win by decision against Tony Gravely, whose outside UFC record he doesn't like.

Daniel picks Herbert Burns to win by first-round submission, citing his significant advantage on the mat as a BJJ black belt. He notes that Landwehr has been taken down and dropped multiple times in his fights and may not survive Burns' submission attempts. He believes Burns will take him down and finish quickly.

The MMA Guru picks Herbert Burns based on his denser record of better names and wins, including a notable win over Timothy in ONE FC. He views Burns as a big featherweight to look out for in his debut, while noting Nate Landwehr's record lacks recognizable names.