UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

Big Brady picks Curtis Blaydes to win by third-round TKO via ground-and-pound. He believes Blaydes will take Volkov down at will and finish him, noting Blaydes' excellent cardio and wrestling. He thinks Volkov's takedown defense will be insufficient and that Blaydes is one of his most confident picks on the card.

Daniel Levi picks Curtis Blaydes, emphasizing his dominant wrestling and takedown records. He notes that Blaydes' only losses are to Francis Ngannou and that he should stick to his wrestling game plan rather than striking with Volkov. Levi cautions that if Blaydes tries to stand and trade, Volkov has a path to victory, but expects Blaydes to win via grinding takedowns and ground and pound.

Blaydes has been looking really good recently, with improving stand-up and power. Volkov's last performance against Greg Hardy was not dominant enough, and he backs up too much, which will be exploited in the smaller cage. Blaydes will trap him against the cage, take him down, and finish with ground-and-pound in the third round.

Big Brady picks Josh Emmett to win by knockout in the second round, citing Emmett's tremendous power and Burgos' tendency to absorb a lot of strikes. He thinks the small cage will help Emmett engage more and land a clean shot. He notes that on paper Burgos looks great, but Emmett's power is a game-changer.

Daniel Levi leans toward Shane Burgos, citing his superior technique, variety of strikes, and size advantage. He acknowledges Josh Emmett's one-punch knockout power and notes that Burgos fights with his hands down, which is risky. Levi sees Burgos winning a decision if it goes the distance but admits Emmett could knock him out at any time. He calls it a pass from a betting perspective.

Burgos has a great chin and recovery, as seen in the Calvillo fight. He stalks opponents, cuts off the cage, and rips to the body. The smaller cage benefits his pressure style. He will eat Emmett's power shots, make him gas, and get a TKO in the third round.

Big Brady picks Raquel Pennington by decision, believing she is the better striker and that the fight will stay on the feet. He notes Pennington's superior competition and Reneau's age (42). He thinks Reneau's only path to victory is a submission, which he doesn't see happening. He is pretty confident and thinks the line could be wider.

Daniel Levi picks Marion Reneau as an underdog, arguing that the line should be closer to a pick 'em. He notes that Raquel Pennington is average and doesn't land many takedowns, while Reneau has decent hands and can win a close decision. Levi believes Reneau has a chance to win a split decision, especially on her 43rd birthday.

Pennington is boring but has experience against better opponents. Reneau is 42 years old and coming off a loss to Jessica Eye, which indicates she is past her prime. Pennington will get the job done, though it may be a dull fight.

Big Brady picks Belal Muhammad by close decision, expecting him to take Lyman Good down and control him on the mat. He acknowledges Good's power and the danger of getting clipped, but thinks Muhammad's wrestling and overall game will prevail. He is not very confident and notes the line has moved to a pick'em.

Daniel Levi picks Belal Muhammad, highlighting his improved size, wrestling entries, and fight IQ. He notes that Lyman Good struggles when pressured and has been taken down in the past. Levi believes Muhammad will mix in takedowns and outwork Good, especially if the fight goes past the first seven minutes. He predicts a unanimous decision win for Muhammad.

Good is bigger, stronger, more athletic, and has KO power. Muhammad's wins have not been dominant, and he is going through Ramadan, which may affect his performance. Good has great takedown defense and will get a TKO in the second round.

Big Brady picks Roosevelt Roberts by decision, but is wary of Jim Miller's first-round danger. He thinks Roberts' reach and striking advantage will be key if he survives the first round. He notes Miller's dangerous BJJ but believes Roberts can avoid submissions and outpoint Miller in later rounds.

Daniel Levi picks Roosevelt Roberts, citing his length, youth, and improving skills. He notes that Jim Miller's wins often come early via submission or knockout, but if Roberts survives the first round, his cardio and reach advantage will take over. Levi expects Roberts to find a submission or win a decision as Miller fades.

Roberts is a young up-and-comer who has improved his stand-up, sitting down on his punches more. Miller is a veteran who took a lot of damage in his last fight. Roberts will get the TKO in the second round.

Big Brady picks Bobby Green to win by submission in the third round, citing Green's underrated BJJ and Guida's history of being submitted. He thinks Green is better everywhere, especially on the feet with higher volume, and expects Green to hurt Guida and then secure a submission. He notes Guida has been submitted seven times.

Daniel Levi picks Bobby Green, emphasizing his speed, striking volume, and underrated wrestling. He notes that Green has fought tougher competition recently and that Guida is a step down. Levi believes Green's flashy style and takedown defense will be too much for Guida, and he expects a finish or dominant performance.

Green has fought better opponents and stayed competitive even in losses. Guida has been completely smoked against top competition recently. Green will out-strike Guida every round and win by decision.

Big Brady picks Brianna Fortino (Van Buren) despite Tecia Pennington's superior competition, believing Fortino is better on the feet and can get takedowns. He thinks Fortino will land more strikes and win a decision. He notes that Pennington hasn't won in five fights and that Fortino's takedown ability will be key.

Daniel Levi picks Brianna Van Buren, calling her a future top-10 fighter. He highlights her relentless pressure, wrestling, and ability to exploit Tecia Torres' weaknesses: poor takedown defense and declining confidence. Levi believes Van Buren will dominate with takedowns and ground control, leading to a clear decision or late finish.

Torres has lost four in a row but to top competition. She is strong, athletic, and has great grappling. Van Buren is being pushed but Torres has the experience edge. Torres will get the win, though it's a hesitant pick.

Big Brady picks Marc-André Barriault as an underdog, citing his power and cardio advantage. He thinks Barriault will stuff takedowns and take over later in the fight, possibly finishing Piechota in the second or third round. However, he is not confident due to Barriault's low volume and tendency to be gun-shy.

Daniel Levi picks Marc-André Barriault as an underdog, noting that Oskar Piechota is a frontrunner who panics if he doesn't get an early finish. He believes Barriault's forward pressure and toughness will break Piechota in the later rounds. Levi expects Barriault to get his first UFC win, possibly by TKO in the third round.

Barriault has a grinding style that will be effective in the smaller cage. Piechota is coming off a KO loss and may be desperate, falling into Barriault's game plan. Barriault is the bigger guy and will get the job done.

Big Brady picks Gillian Robertson by decision, expecting her to take Cortney Casey down repeatedly and control the fight on the ground. He notes Casey's poor takedown defense and believes Robertson will avoid striking exchanges. He acknowledges Casey's submission threat from bottom but thinks Robertson will be safe on top and may even get a ground-and-pound finish.

Daniel Levi leans toward Cortney Casey, acknowledging she will be taken down but believing she has a good guard and submission threats. He notes that Gillian Robertson checks out if she can't get an early sub, and Casey can win on the feet or via submission. Levi warns that betting Casey requires accepting early takedowns, but sees value at plus money.

Casey has momentum and is bigger with a reach advantage. Robertson has a good ground game but Casey is stronger. Casey will get a submission in the first round, though it's a close fight.

Big Brady picks Frank Camacho despite the close odds, citing Camacho's harder hitting and ability to stuff takedowns. He thinks Camacho will land more convincing strikes and win a close decision, possibly even finishing Jaynes. He notes Jaynes has been knocked out before by a lesser fighter, which is concerning.

Daniel Levi picks Frank Camacho, citing his experience, power, and sneaky trips. He notes that Camacho has fought tougher competition and that Justin Jaynes is a late replacement. Levi expects Camacho to win, possibly by first-round knockout, as Jaynes steps up in competition.

Frevola is a better fighter than Camacho, who has been through wars and found his limit. Frevola's grinding style will be favored by the smaller cage. He will win by decision.

Big Brady favors Lauren Murphy to win by decision, believing she can stuff Roxanne Modafferi's takedowns and out-strike her on the feet. He notes Murphy's strong takedown defense and ability to get back up if taken down. He acknowledges Modafferi's recent wins as an underdog but thinks Murphy is the better striker and will land more shots.

Daniel Levi picks Lauren Murphy, arguing that Modafferi is one-dimensional and relies on takedowns. He believes Murphy's improved aggression and takedown defense will be key. Levi notes that Murphy looked great against Andrea Lee and should be a slight favorite, not an underdog. He expects a close decision win for Murphy.

Modafferi has better grappling and a reach advantage. She was winning against Barber before the injury. Murphy hasn't shown much. Modafferi will win by decision.

Big Brady picks Max Rohskopf despite concerns about his gas tank and a two-week layoff due to injury. He notes Rohskopf's strong wrestling and BJJ, but worries about his cardio since he's only been to the second round once. He expects Rohskopf to dominate the first round with takedowns and win by decision, but advises caution and says he probably wouldn't bet it.

Daniel Levi picks Max Rohskopf, highlighting his D1 wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills. He notes that Austin Hubbard is durable but lacks finishing ability and has been taken down repeatedly. Levi believes Rohskopf can submit Hubbard or grind out a decision, as Hubbard's cardio and takedown defense are questionable.

Hubbard is the bigger guy with a reach advantage, an LFA champion with more experience against better competition. He will get a jump on Soloci and win by decision.