UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang

Angelo is very confident in Zhang Mingyang, calling him a dangerous finisher on feet and ground. He criticizes Johnny Walker for losing his craziness after training at SBG Ireland and becoming chinny. He thinks this is a showcase for the hometown guy and that Walker will get knocked out. He says Mingyang should be a much heavier favorite.

Big Brady picks Zhang Mingyang to win by first-round knockout, stating that Johnny Walker has a glass chin and has been knocked out six times. He notes that Zhang hits very hard and that Walker is unlikely to wrestle given his history. He believes the fight will be a striking match and that Zhang will knock Walker out early. He does not like the -310 line or the props.

Connor believes Johnny Walker is a broken fighter after training at SBG Ireland, where he lost his aggressive brawling style and now moves around aimlessly without a clear game plan. He notes that Walker's last three fights show him getting annihilated, and that Zhang Mingyang, while unproven, is a big, fast, aggressive brawler who will likely just throw punches until Walker gets knocked out. Connor thinks this fight will be less competitive than Walker's loss to Anthony Smith.

The host notes that all 19 of Mingyang's victories have come in the first round and expects him to continue that trend against Johnny Walker, who has comically horrible durability at this stage. He thinks Mingyang will take the pace immediately, dictate range, and land big shots to get Walker out in the first round by knockout.

The MMA Guru picks Zhang Mingyang to win by first-round KO. He expresses no trust in Johnny Walker's chin, noting that Walker gets knocked out repeatedly. He highlights that all of Zhang's wins are first-round KOs and that he found the punch on Brenson Ribeiro, who is tall and rangy. He believes Zhang is a master at finding those shots and that Walker is chinny enough to get put down. He acknowledges that Walker might try to grapple, but expects the fight to be decided in the pocket.

Zane agrees with Connor that Johnny Walker is broken, citing his lack of direction and inability to execute a neutralizing game plan. He points out that Walker's footwork is poor and he can't hold opponents off with range tools, making him an easy target for Zhang's aggression. Zane expects Zhang to win by knockout, as Walker's fight response has turned into a flight response.

Angelo is extremely confident in Aljamain Sterling, calling him a backpack grappler with developed striking and spectacular ground game. He dismisses Brian Ortega as not very good anymore, relying only on toughness. He expects Sterling to get takedowns and dominate on the ground, likely by decision due to Ortega's toughness. He says this is one of his most confident picks on the card.

Big Brady picks Aljamain Sterling to win by decision, citing Sterling's minute-winning ability on the feet and slick grappling. He notes that Sterling throws high volume and can take Ortega down, though he must watch for submissions. He believes Ortega is dangerous but hittable, and that Sterling will control the fight and win a decision.

Connor notes that Brian Ortega's game has disintegrated; he used to rely on durability but now gets hurt early in fights. He highlights that Ortega is a guard grappler but hasn't gotten a guard submission since 2017, and his wrestling is an afterthought. Sterling, on the other hand, is a much better wrestler who can dictate grappling exchanges and pile up volume on the feet. Connor is curious to see how Sterling handles Ortega's guard, but believes Sterling's positional grappling will keep him on top.

The host sees this as a fun grappling matchup, but thinks Sterling's advantage in wrestling and control will shut down Ortega's aggressive BJJ. He expects Sterling to grind out a boring fight and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Aljamain Sterling to win by decision, citing Ortega's poor weight cut and zombie-like appearance at weigh-ins. He believes Sterling is more disciplined and professional, with better wrestling and positional grappling. He notes that Sterling can avoid Ortega's submission threats by pushing him against the cage and working from the back. He also thinks Sterling will do well on the feet, as Ortega has looked lost there at times.

Zane agrees that Sterling is the pick, citing Ortega's decline and the fact that he gets hurt in every fight now. He points out that Ortega's entire career has been about absorbing damage, and that Sterling's wrestling and speed will give Ortega problems. Zane also notes that Sterling has never faced a guard grappler like Ortega, but believes Sterling's mindful positional grappling will avoid spending much time in Ortega's guard.

Angelo is confident in Waldo Cortes Acosta as a dog, calling him more well-rounded, athletic, and durable. He notes that Pavlovich is one-dimensional as a boxer and that Waldo can shoot takedowns and has a giant chin. He has a moneyline bet on Waldo at +225, which he thinks is crazy. He references Waldo's toughness and evolution as a fighter.

Big Brady picks Sergei Pavlovich to win, but with hesitation due to Pavlovich's recent lack of killer instinct since being knocked out by Aspinall. He notes that Pavlovich has been hesitant in recent fights, but if the old Pavlovich shows up, he will knock out Cortes Acosta in the first round. He is worried Pavlovich might stick at range or wrestle, making the fight harder.

Connor is confident Pavlovich should win, as he is the first elite-level heavyweight Cortes Acosta has faced. He notes that Pavlovich has better punching mechanics, more power, and a significant reach advantage (84 inches vs 78). However, he worries that Pavlovich might get deer-in-the-headlights against Cortes Acosta's size and durability, leading to a staring contest. Connor also mentions that Pavlovich looked good in his last fight, showing improved wrestling and striking choices.

The host initially thought he would like the plus money on Cortes Acosta, but after seeing the confidence and discipline from Pavlovich in his last fight, he thinks Pavlovich can shut down the jab of Cortes Acosta and land big shots leading to knockdowns, knockouts, or takedowns. He expects Pavlovich to be in the driver's seat and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Sergei Pavlovich to win by first-round KO. He highlights Pavlovich's 14-inch reach advantage and believes he is more athletic, faster, and more powerful than Cortes Acosta. He criticizes Cortes Acosta's close decisions against unranked opponents and notes that Pavlovich has finished similar fighters quickly. He also mentions that Pavlovich can use grappling and low kicks if needed.

Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Cortes Acosta's style is a neutralizer that relies on not doing anything stupid, but Pavlovich's power and athleticism should overwhelm him. He points out that Pavlovich's wins often come from opponents freaking out, but he still has the tools to win. Zane is hopeful Pavlovich can make the fight entertaining.

Angelo picks Kevin Borjas as the dog, calling him the better striker and more dangerous and durable. He notes that Sumudaerji is fast and accurate but lacks power. He suggests prop bets like win inside distance or plus 3.5 rounds, as he doesn't see Borjas getting stopped. He is confident in Borjas winning.

Big Brady picks Kevin Borjas to win a damage-based decision, despite Sumudaerji being a good striker. He notes that Sumudaerji has been submitted six times and has looked rough recently, but Borjas is not a grappler. He believes Borjas has power and can land big shots, and that Sumudaerji is not a finisher at this level. He expects a close fight with Borjas having big moments.

Connor likes Borjas's game and thinks he will dictate the pace, forcing Sumudaerji to brawl. He notes that Sumudaerji tends to let opponents lead and then engages, but Borjas is a backfoot counter puncher who will likely start first. Connor worries about Borjas's defensive acumen and high chin, but believes Sumudaerji lacks knockout power, having only finished Malcolm Gordon in the UFC. He compares the fight to Sumudaerji's loss to Charles Johnson, where Johnson set the early pace and won.

The host acknowledges Borjas looked his best last time, but thinks he will struggle against the superior striking of Sumudaerji. He expects Sumudaerji to keep Borjas at bay, avoid counter-strikes, pick him apart, and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Sumudaerji to win by decision, citing his range and ability to make fights low-output. He believes Sumudaerji's length will be a problem for Kevin Borjas, who he describes as a one-two merchant. He notes that Borjas had a close fight with Ronaldo Rodriguez, and that Sumudaerji looked good against Charles Johnson. He expects a 30-27 schooling victory.

Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Borjas has shown good stuff in his fights and that Sumudaerji is a technical step up but not a huge one. He points out that Sumudaerji is tough but often starts fights going second, which could allow Borjas to take control. Zane also mentions that Borjas has never been knocked out and took shots from Ronaldo Rodriguez well, so Sumudaerji's lack of power is a factor.

Angelo is very confident in Taiyilake Nueraji, calling him a fun striker with a mix of old-school martial arts and raw aggression. He notes that Kiefer Crosbie is an aging brawler with power but no backup plan, and that he keeps getting smoked. He expects Nueraji to win easily and says the UFC will look to promote him.

Big Brady picks Taiyilake Nueraji to win by first-round knockout, describing him as a wild man with a 100% finish rate. He notes that Crosbie has no ground game, no cardio, and no durability, and that Nueraji can knock him out or take him down and submit him. He considers the -470 line a bit wild for a debutant but believes Nueraji will win.

Connor picks Nueraji because Kiefer Crosbie's confidence disintegrates when things go against him. He notes that Crosbie is a meat-headed brawler from SBG Ireland who folds under pressure, while Nueraji, though raw, seems like a fighter who wants to be in a fistfight and will press forward. Connor acknowledges Nueraji's technical flaws but believes his aggression will cause Crosbie to collapse.

The host credits Crosbie for not saying no to opponents, but thinks he faces tough opposition in Nueraji. He notes Nueraji's striking defense leaves a lot to be desired, but expects him to land early and often on Crosbie and get a finish within a round and a half.

The MMA Guru picks Taiyilake Nueraji, criticizing Kiefer Crosbie as being easy to figure out and noting that rangier opponents with kicks give him problems. He describes Nueraji as a tall, lanky fighter who likes to use kicks at range, and believes Crosbie's chin is not great. He also mentions that Crosbie's physique changed after entering the UFC testing pool.

Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Crosbie's confidence drains as soon as his opponent isn't there to be walked over. He points out that Nueraji, despite being under-schooled, has a fighter's mentality and will take shots and keep pressing. Zane thinks Nueraji's aggression will be enough to beat Crosbie, who has never beaten anyone of UFC caliber.

Angelo gives a slight lean to Maheshate, calling him a fun striker who can hang in a firefight and mix in traditional martial arts techniques. He notes that Gauge Young is a well-rounded prospect but hasn't shown success at the UFC level. He admits this is not a confident pick and that he despises tracking picks equally because of low-confidence picks like this.

Big Brady picks Gauge Young to win by decision, though he admits he is not a fan of either fighter. He criticizes Maheshate's low striking accuracy and poor chin, and notes that Young has better volume and durability. He expects a close fight on the feet and believes Young will do enough to win a decision.

The host acknowledges a lot of money has come in on Maheshate, but still believes Young is the superior striker. He thinks Young's durability will help him eat big shots from Maheshate and eventually get to his own volume striking style, leading to a knockout.

The MMA Guru picks Gauge Young, noting that Young looked good on the Contender Series and had a competitive fight with Evan Elder. He admits he doesn't remember much about Maheshate, who has a 50/50 record in the UFC and hasn't beaten anyone good. He believes Young's ability to build as fights go on will be an advantage.

Angelo picks Lone'er Kavanagh but is hesitant, noting that Charles Johnson is a friend of the show and a good fighter. He praises Kavanagh's speed, power, and ability to transition to wrestling instantly. He thinks the odds are too wide and that Johnson is not a 2-to-1 underdog. He says he'll be rooting for Johnson but thinks Kavanagh probably gets it done due to speed and volume.

Big Brady picks Lone'er Kavanagh to win a close decision, noting that Kavanagh is a real prospect with power and takedown ability. He criticizes Charles Johnson for consistently losing first rounds and being takedown-prone. He believes Kavanagh will win rounds one and two, while Johnson may take round three, leading to a decision for Kavanagh.

The host notes that Kavanagh is usually at super chalky odds but here at -180, it's a great entry point. He thinks Johnson may not have the power to get Kavanagh's respect, and while Johnson may have an advantage in output and volume, Kavanagh should mix martial arts well with power strikes, speed, and takedowns to win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Charles Johnson to win by decision as an underdog (+170). He believes Johnson's experience and ability to survive and push the pace will be key. He notes that Kavanagh struggled in close fights against Jose Ochoa and Felipe dos Santos, and that Johnson is hard to outgrapple effectively. He expects Johnson to have a strong third round and win a close decision, though he acknowledges Kavanagh could land a knockout.

Angelo slightly leans Rong Zhu due to his volume and striking, but is surprised by the -300 odds, calling them berserk. He notes that Austin Hubbard is gritty and decent everywhere, and just had a close loss to a very good fighter. He thinks Hubbard could make it tricky if he marches forward and fakes takedowns.

Big Brady picks Rong Zhu to win by decision, citing his youth, rapid improvement, and striking power. He notes that Zhu has been working on takedown defense and anti-grappling, which will be key against Hubbard's wrestling. He believes Zhu will win a damage-based decision over 15 minutes, as Hubbard has never been knocked out.

The host is historically higher on Hubbard than most, but thinks this is a horrible stylistic matchup for him. He doesn't think Hubbard will be able to get to his wrestling game, allowing Rong Zhu to dictate the striking and eventually land a big knockout.

The MMA Guru picks Rong Zhu to win by 29-28 decision, but notes that he thinks Zhu is a bit of a big favorite and that there is value on Austin Hubbard. He believes Zhu is more talented and works well on the back foot, but acknowledges Hubbard could win the third round. He mentions that Zhu is young (25) and has had mixed results, including a loss to an underrated lightweight prospect.

Angelo is very confident in Michel Pereira, calling him an absolute beast with insane athleticism, real power, and solid wrestling and BJJ. He notes that Pereira is a better hammer than nail and that his recent loss was uncharacteristic, partly due to personal life issues. He dismisses Kyle Daukaus as not good at the UFC level despite regional wins, and expects Pereira to beat the brakes off him. He even says if Pereira doesn't win, cut them both.

Big Brady picks Michel Pereira to win by first-round knockout, despite Pereira's recent poor performance against Abus Magomedov. He believes the matchup is favorable for Pereira because Daukaus is hittable and fragile, and Pereira has the striking advantage. He notes that Daukaus will struggle to take Pereira down and that Pereira should finish early with a body shot or flying knee.

The host acknowledges it's tough to trust Pereira after his last gunshy performance, but thinks he has a good opponent here to show off his power. He notes that Daukaus has crumbled under power before and expects Pereira to find a knockout.

The MMA Guru picks Michel Pereira to win, expecting an easy first-round finish. He believes Pereira is on another level compared to Kyle Daukaus, who is decent but lacks standout ability in any area. He notes that Pereira is much better at striking and moves well, which should carry him past Daukaus. However, he acknowledges that if the fight goes later, Daukaus could find success in the clinch.

Angelo is picking Yi Zha but with low confidence, calling the -400 odds an atrocity. He describes Yi Zha as a powerful grappler who uses kicks to manage range and is constantly looking for submissions, but can struggle to maintain position. He notes Westin Wilson is a karate-style striker who is very tall and can be hesitant. He ultimately picks Yi Zha because of his insane toughness shown in his last fight, but warns against betting on this fight.

Big Brady picks Yi Zha to win by first-round submission, noting that Yi Zha is a grappler who will take the fight to the mat and that Westin Wilson has been submitted four times by questionable competition. He acknowledges the -1200 line is ridiculous but believes Yi Zha should get the win. He predicts an armbar or rear-naked choke.

The host sees Yi Zha as a big favorite and expects him to wear down Wilson and eventually find a finish within a round and a half. He believes the finish will likely come by submission.

The MMA Guru picks Yi Zha to win by KO, citing his competitive performance against Gabriel Santos and a close fight with Lerone Murphy. He criticizes Westin Wilson's side-on stance, which leaves him open to fast lower-weight fighters. He notes that Wilson has been finished early before and is older (36-38), while Yi Zha has more experience and a better record. He concludes that he simply won't pick Wilson to win fights.

Angelo is confident in You Su-young, calling him a nonstop wrestler who shoots takedowns early and is aggressive on the ground. He notes that Xiao Long is a grappler but not particularly dangerous, and that You Su-young is better almost everywhere. He expects a grappling match and leans You Su-young regardless of whether it becomes a striking match or a grappling match.

Big Brady picks Xiao Long as an underdog, citing his good defensive wrestling and anti-grappling. He notes that Xiao Long stuffed 7 of 9 takedowns against Chungho Lee, who is a strong grappler, and that Xiao Long is the better striker with improved striking. He believes Su-young Yu will struggle to get takedowns and that Xiao Long will win a decision on the feet.

The host is a big fan of You Su-young but thinks he will struggle to get the fight to the ground. This will allow Xiao Long to dictate the pace in the striking realm with high volume, winning most pocket exchanges. The host predicts Xiao Long will eventually find a knockout within two and a half rounds.

The MMA Guru picks You Su-young because he has proven himself against non-Asian competition, specifically outgrappling an American with a wrestling background. He views You Su-young as a specialist with a clear strength, while Xiao Long appears to be a well-rounded regional scrapper. He also notes that Xiao Long's split decision win over a Korean fighter on Road to UFC doesn't impress him, as that opponent didn't amount to much.

Angelo picks Diyar Nurgozhay despite calling him a 'hitable loser bum' in his raw notes from his last fight. He chalks that up to anger and frustration, and notes that he has seen Diyar win in the UFC octagon. He thinks Uran Satybaldiev doesn't like striking and that Diyar is the better prospect. He is not fully confident but goes with Diyar.

Big Brady picks Diyar Nurgozhay as an underdog despite concerns about his weight miss and poor performance in his last fight. He acknowledges Nurgozhay has solid striking, a nasty headkick, and takedown upside, and notes that Satybaldiev can be taken down and controlled. However, he is not betting on the fight due to Nurgozhay's weight miss and the line movement. He predicts a decision win for Nurgozhay.

The host believes there is recency bias against Nurgozhay, who did not look himself last time. He expects Nurgozhay to utilize his grapple-heavy approach and stay away from Satybaldiev's aggressive striking, as Satybaldiev does not have a great game off his back. The host predicts Nurgozhay will keep the fight on the ground and win on the scorecards.

The MMA Guru picks Uran Satybaldiev based on his performance against Martin Buday on short notice, which he now views as decent in hindsight. He notes that Satybaldiev is more fluid on the back foot and flows better in striking compared to Diyar Nurgozhay, who he describes as slow, plodding forward with a noticeable tick. He also mentions that Satybaldiev has faced better competition on the regional scene and doesn't expect either fighter to outgrapple the other significantly.