UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan

Big Brady picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Brunson has been knocked out five times and is past his prime at 36, while Shahbazyan is a young 22-year-old beast with a high ceiling. He believes Shahbazyan will come out aggressively and touch Brunson's chin early, ending the fight in the first round. He mentions the line is off at -345 and suggests looking at inside the distance props.

Daniel picks Shahbazyan, praising his complete skill set including boxing, grappling, and takedowns. He notes that Brunson leads with his chin up and that Shahbazyan throws straight, disciplined shots. He expects a first-round knockout, citing Shahbazyan's 10 first-round finishes and his handling of Brad Tavares.

The host picks Brunson despite being an underdog, citing concerns about Shahbazyan's cardio and lack of experience in later rounds. He notes that Shahbazyan looked poor in the third round against Darren Stewart and that Brunson's wrestling and grinding style could neutralize Shahbazyan's early power. He also mentions the smaller cage favoring Brunson's clinch game and that the line has moved too far in Shahbazyan's favor.

The host picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by brutal KO in the first round. He notes Shahbazyan's calmness, distance control, and takedown defense, while criticizing Derek Brunson's tendency to come forward with his chin exposed and get knocked out by top competition. He mentions Brunson's pattern of beating lower-level guys and losing to rising contenders, and predicts a straight right or uppercut finish.

Big Brady picks Joanne Calderwood (Joanne Wood) to win by decision. He thinks she is the better overall fighter with higher volume striking and improved ground game. He notes that her striking should be sharp because she was preparing to fight Valentina Shevchenko. However, he expresses caution due to recent poor luck betting on women's MMA fights.

Daniel picks Joanne Wood, citing her higher output and well-roundedness. He notes that she doesn't have to worry about takedown threats from Maia and should outland her with kicks and volume. He expects a decision win.

The host picks Joanne Wood, citing her evolution in mixing wrestling with striking, and notes that Jennifer Maia has poor get-up game when taken down, as seen in the Alexis Davis fight. He believes Wood will take Maia down and grind out a decision, despite Maia having a slight edge in pure Muay Thai. He also mentions Wood's training at Syndicate MMA and her motivation for a title shot.

The host picks Joanne Calderwood (Joanne Wood) but expresses hesitation, noting that neither fighter has beaten elite competition. He believes Calderwood is bigger, stronger, and rangier for the division, and can keep the fight standing where she has a range advantage. He acknowledges the lack of clear evidence but goes with Calderwood due to her physical advantages.

Big Brady picks Vicente Luque to win by knockout in the second round. He highlights Luque's incredible chin (never knocked out), high volume striking (5.18 significant strikes per minute), and 90% finish rate. He believes Luque will close the distance and land harder shots, eventually finishing Brown. He notes that Brown could have success but Luque's durability and power will be the difference.

Daniel picks Luque, emphasizing his calf kicks and power. He notes that Randy Brown doesn't check kicks and that Luque will close the distance and land hard shots. He predicts a knockout, though he acknowledges Brown could win if he fights perfectly at range.

The host picks Luque, stating he is a much better technical fighter and will target Brown's wide stance with leg kicks. He notes that Brown lacks one-punch knockout power and that Luque has a jiu-jitsu advantage as well. He is slightly concerned about the damage Luque has taken in recent fights but still expects a third-round TKO. He also mentions the over 1.5 rounds as a potential prop.

The host picks Vicente Luque to win by KO in the first round. He notes Luque's long reach for his height and success against taller opponents, and believes Randy Brown's style of sticking and moving plays into Luque's game. He mentions Brown's previous KO loss to Niko Price and that Brown hasn't beaten elite competition, while Luque has been more active and beaten better fighters.

Big Brady picks Lando Vannata to win by second-round knockout. He recalls their first fight where Vannata nearly finished Green and argues that Vannata has improved his composure and technique. He criticizes Bobby Green's poor fight IQ and tendency to keep his hands down, which he believes will lead to a knockout. He mentions he missed getting Vannata at pick'em odds and is considering a bet at -150.

Daniel picks Bobby Green, noting his heart and ability to take over in later rounds. He points out that Lando fades after the first round and that Green went toe-to-toe with Clay Guida. He expects Green to land crisper shots in rounds 2 and 3 and win a decision.

The host picks Vannata, expecting him to use his groovy style with hands down and movement to outpoint Green. He notes that Green is a low-output, one-and-done puncher and that Vannata's confidence from the Yancy Medeiros fight will carry over. He also mentions the first fight ended in a draw due to an illegal knee, but believes Vannata will win a clear decision this time.

The host picks Lando Vannata to win by second-round TKO. He was not impressed with Bobby Green's performance against Clay Guida and believes Vannata has improved his cardio and pacing since their first fight. He thinks Vannata's movement and output will be too much for Green, and that Vannata will avoid brawling and instead outpoint or finish Green.

Big Brady picks Jonathan Martinez to win by decision. He views Martinez as a very good striker who is improving, while Frankie Saenz is on the decline at 39. He worries about Martinez's 33% takedown defense but believes Saenz lacks the cardio for a wrestling-heavy game plan. He notes Martinez has never been knocked out or submitted and expects him to win via volume striking.

Daniel picks Martinez, stating that Saenz is too small for bantamweight and his chin is compromised. He notes Martinez's improvement and predicts a knockout, citing Saenz's recent KO loss to Chito Vera and his age (40).

The host picks Martinez, citing his size and reach advantage, and that Saenz is past his prime at 39 with a questionable chin. He believes Martinez can keep the fight on the outside and finish Saenz, possibly by TKO in the second round. He also notes that Martinez has good submission threats off his back if taken down. He likes the under 2.5 rounds at +165 as a prop.

The host picks Jonathan Martinez to win by TKO in the first round. He notes Martinez's speed and youth advantage over the 39-year-old Frankie Saenz, who is coming off a KO loss. He believes Martinez will operate at a different frequency and get a quick finish, and mentions that Saenz hasn't beaten a notable opponent since 2015.

This fight was not discussed in the transcript. The host did not mention Nate Maness vs Johnny Muñoz Jr. at all.

The host picks Ray Borg, stating that Borg is a much better grappler and that Maness has not faced high-level competition. He notes that Borg is only 26 and not on the decline, and that Maness will be hesitant to throw bombs due to Borg's takedown threat. He expects Borg to grind out a decision or possibly finish later in the fight. He also mentions the line is a steal and expects it to close higher.

The host picks Ray Borg (Nate Maness's opponent) to win by unanimous decision. He praises Borg's youth (26), grappling, and recent activity, and notes that Maness hasn't fought anyone of Borg's caliber. He believes Borg will grind out a win with takedowns and control, and that Maness lacks the experience against high-level grapplers.

Big Brady picks Jamall Emmers to win by decision as an underdog. He notes Emmers has a significant height and reach advantage and is a standout wrestler. He believes Emmers will lose the first round but take over in the second and third, similar to his fight against Giga Chikadze. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em and considers betting on Emmers at +155.

Daniel picks Emmers, acknowledging his talent and athleticism but criticizing his fight IQ. He notes that Cachero is coming in on short notice and moving up a weight class. He expects Emmers to get his first UFC win.

The host picks Emmers but with low confidence due to Emmers' questionable fight IQ, as he often chooses to strike instead of using his wrestling. He notes that Emmers has a size and strength advantage and should win if he wrestles, but he cannot trust him to do so. He also mentions that Valiev has takedown defense issues but is a solid fighter. He passes on betting due to uncertainty.

The host picks Timo Valiev (Vince Cachero's opponent) to win by TKO or submission in the second or third round. He notes Valiev's gritty grappling and ability to take down taller opponents, and believes he will outwork Jamall Emmers despite Emmers' length advantage. He acknowledges Emmers is tough but favors Valiev's wrestling and cardio.