UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira

Big Brady picks Teixeira as an underdog, citing Santos' injury layoff and questionable losses. He thinks Teixeira has more paths to victory, including takedowns and submissions. He notes Teixeira's recent form and improved conditioning.

Daniel Levi leans toward Glover Teixeira as a betting pick, despite acknowledging Thiago Santos should be the favorite. He believes Teixeira's ground game is a huge edge; if he gets Santos down, the fight is likely over via submission. Levi notes that Santos is explosive and powerful on the feet, and Teixeira has been wobbled before, but he thinks Teixeira can take him down and submit him. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and picks Teixeira at plus money.

The host is very confident in Glover Teixeira at plus money, citing Thiago Santos coming off a severe ACL injury and a 16-month layoff. He believes Glover's durability, top pressure, and jiu-jitsu will be too much, especially in a five-round fight where Glover can drown Santos. He notes that Santos is not a one-punch knockout artist and that Glover has only been finished once in 3.5 years. He plans to wait for a better line, expecting it to reach +200.

The MMA Guru picks Thiago Santos to win by first-round TKO. He believes Santos is too dangerous in the first round and Teixeira has a habit of getting cracked early. He notes Santos's power and cardio, and that Teixeira cannot afford to take the same shots he took against lesser opponents.

Big Brady is confident in Boser, noting his volume, leg kicks, and Arlovski's 12 knockout losses. He predicts a knockout in the second round, citing the small cage favoring Boser. He suggests looking at the knockout prop.

Daniel Levi picks Tanner Boser, calling him Canada's top prospect. He believes Boser is faster, throws at a higher pace, and can surpass Arlovski's output. Levi thinks Boser can win by decision or even knockout, as Arlovski's recent wins have been close decisions against lower-level competition. He sees this as Boser's biggest career win.

The host picks Tanner Boser to win by decision, emphasizing Boser's leg kicks as the key to slowing down Arlovski and opening up his hands. He notes Arlovski's durability and movement but believes Boser's consistency and volume will earn him a decision. He mentions Boser is a solid parlay piece and that Arlovski makes fights closer than they should be.

The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser to win by first-round TKO, calling it his lock of the night. He believes Boser has the technical advantage and patience to pick apart Arlovski, chopping at the legs and setting up a big hook. He contrasts Boser with other heavyweights who have failed against Arlovski due to lack of technique.

The host is high on Barcelos, calling him a near-complete MMA fighter with diverse skills. He expects Barcelos to use his muay thai and takedowns to overwhelm Taha, who has shown vulnerability to wrestlers. He predicts a second or third round submission, noting Barcelos' jiu-jitsu and finishing ability. He considers Barcelos a solid parlay piece due to the high price.

The MMA Guru picks Raoni Barcelos to win by unanimous decision or third-round stoppage. He believes Barcelos will out-grapple Khalid Taha, using takedowns and grinding grappling. He notes Barcelos's underrated grappling and tough chin.

Big Brady picks Chikadze despite being a former hater, impressed by his improvements in takedown defense and ground game. He notes the size disadvantage for Simmons and predicts a finish, possibly by submission or knockout. He suggests looking at the inside distance prop.

Daniel Levi confidently picks Giga Chikadze to win by first-round knockout. He highlights Chikadze's significant improvements in every area, including distance management, stance switches, and submissions. Levi notes that Chikadze has been maintaining his cardio better and believes he will get his first UFC finish here, knocking out Jamey Simmons, who is a solid wrestler but outmatched on the feet.

The host expects Giga Chikadze to get a finish, likely in the first or second round, against a short-notice opponent with questionable cardio and a significant height disadvantage. He notes Giga's takedown defense and ability to get back to his feet. He plans to bet Giga inside the distance if the line is better than -200.

The MMA Guru picks Giga Chikadze to win by TKO. He believes Chikadze is too quick on the feet for Jamey Simmons and will make a statement. He notes Chikadze's improved power and ability to keep long-range fighters at bay.

Big Brady picks Yan, citing her volume striking and power, and Gadelha's decline in wrestling and cardio. He thinks Yan's takedown defense is good and she will win a decision, possibly live betting opportunity. He notes Gadelha has been dropped before.

Daniel Levi picks Yan Xiaonan, believing she is catching Cláudia Gadelha at the perfect time. He acknowledges Gadelha's grappling threat but thinks Yan can stuff takedowns and outwork her on the feet with volume and damage. Levi notes Yan's training at Alpha Male and with Sarah McMahon to improve wrestling, and he expects Yan to win a decision or possibly get a finish. He is concerned about submission but thinks Yan can avoid it.

The host likes Yan Xiaonan's pressure, power, and combinations to overwhelm Gadelha, who has cardio issues and declining takedown effectiveness. He notes Yan's training at Team Alpha Male and her ability to get back to her feet. He expects a decision or third-round TKO, and loves the -135 line.

The MMA Guru picks Yan Xiaonan to win by unanimous decision. He believes Yan will pick apart Gadelha from range with her straight punches, and that Gadelha slows down as the fight goes on. He notes Yan's high output and ability to rally in later rounds.

Big Brady picks Giles but is not confident, citing Giles' possible decline due to his police career. He thinks Giles is the better fighter and has more paths to victory, including a finish. He notes Giles has finished 84% of his wins and Lewis has been knocked out before.

Daniel Levi picks Bevon Lewis, citing his higher ceiling and potential. He notes that Trevin Giles makes many mistakes, especially in grappling, and has questionable fight IQ, such as putting his hands down when hit. Levi believes Lewis will be more cautious and make better decisions, capitalizing on Giles' sloppiness. However, he acknowledges that Lewis still needs to prove he has caught up to this level.

The host leans toward Bevon Lewis, citing his range, size, and clinch work, but admits he wouldn't bet on either fighter. He notes Lewis's potential and better performance against Townsend, while Giles has questionable cardio and a controversial win over Krause. He expects Lewis to win by decision through distance striking and clinch control.

The MMA Guru picks Bevon Lewis to win by unanimous decision. He cites Lewis's size and reach advantage, and his game plan of holding opponents against the cage. He questions Trevin Giles's confidence after fainting backstage and notes Giles's tendency to slow down.

Big Brady is extremely confident in Romanov, calling him an absolute beast. He highlights Romanov's undefeated record, his ability to slam opponents, and de Lima's poor takedown defense (36%). He predicts a first-round submission, noting Romanov has finished 67% of his wins by submission.

Daniel Levi picks Alexandr Romanov to win via first-round submission. He notes Romanov's 100% takedown rate in his UFC debut and his ability to hold top control and attack with submissions. He believes Romanov will take de Lima down, apply a schoolyard headlock, and finish the fight, as de Lima has been submitted four times in the UFC and tends to quit when pressured.

The host is extremely confident in Romanov, calling him as close to a lock as possible. He expects a first-round finish via ground and pound or submission, noting Romanov's relentless pressure, takedowns, and finishing ability. He believes de Lima is completely outmatched and that the line should be -500. He plans to wait for the inside the distance prop.

The MMA Guru picks Alexandr Romanov to win by first-round submission via arm triangle choke. He believes Romanov is too fast and powerful for Marcos Rogério de Lima, and will soften him up with kicks before taking him down and securing the choke. He notes de Lima's history of being submitted.

Big Brady is confident in Elkins due to Garagorri's poor takedown defense (53%) and Elkins' wrestling. He notes Elkins can submit him and that Garagorri has been taken down multiple times before. However, he is hesitant to bet at -230 and suggests looking at the submission prop.

Daniel Levi picks Darren Elkins, but notes he prefers him at underdog odds. He believes Elkins can get takedowns against Garagorri, who has poor takedown defense. Levi is concerned about Elkins' decline and tendency to get cut, but thinks his wrestling will be enough to win a decision. He acknowledges Garagorri's power and potential to cause damage, but sees Elkins as the safer pick.

The host picks Elkins via decision, citing his superior grappling, takedown defense, and cardio. He notes Garagorri's lack of takedown defense and training in Uruguay as weaknesses. He is slightly concerned about Garagorri's power and speed but believes Elkins will drown him with relentless takedowns and top pressure.

The MMA Guru picks Darren Elkins to win by unanimous decision. He dismisses Eduardo Garagorri as having not shown up in some fights and lacking competition. He notes Elkins's experience against tough grapplers like Ryan Hall and his ability to avoid submissions.

Big Brady picks Brahimaj despite cardio concerns, noting Brahimaj's strong wrestling and submission threat. He thinks Brahimaj wins the first round decisively but may fade later. He also mentions a potential submission, as Brahimaj has finished all his wins by submission.

Daniel Levi picks Ramiz Brahimaj to get the upset in his UFC debut. He notes that Brahimaj is a finisher with an explosive takedown style, and Max Griffin has been wobbled often and tends to gas out. Levi thinks Brahimaj can get an early finish on the mat, as Griffin is vulnerable and not showing improvement. However, he acknowledges the risk of Brahimaj gassing if he doesn't finish early.

The host leans toward Max Griffin due to experience and durability, but is not confident enough to bet. He notes Brahimaj's long layoff, cardio issues, and reliance on submissions, while Griffin has never been submitted in the UFC. He predicts a third-round TKO or decision, but says the line is not great.

The MMA Guru picks Ramiz Brahimaj as an underdog to win by first-round submission. He describes Brahimaj as a savage who starts fast and latches onto submissions, while Max Griffin is coming to the end of his career and starts slow. He predicts Griffin will shoot a lousy takedown and Brahimaj will catch him in a guillotine.

Daniel Levi slightly leans toward Gustavo Lopez, thinking he is the hungrier fighter and has more to prove. He notes that Anthony Birchak has already had his UFC opportunity and has been inconsistent. Levi mentions Lopez's guillotine threat and better conditioning, while Birchak is on short notice. However, he acknowledges Birchak's experience and past wins over UFC vets.

The MMA Guru picks Gustavo Lopez to win by unanimous decision. He believes Lopez will control Felipe Colares on the feet for three rounds, citing Lopez's good wins and Colares's recent losses. He notes Lopez's heart and ability to get back up after being taken down.