Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder as an underdog, citing size advantage and pressure. He notes that Bilder can bully the smaller Lee if he pressures forward and stays busy. He acknowledges Lee's danger and grappling but believes Bilder can squeak out a win.

Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round submission. He notes that Lee is dangerous early with power and a sneaky submission game, but his cardio is questionable and he slows down. Bilder is tough as nails, often drops first rounds but builds into the fight. Brady expects Lee to hurt Bilder in the first round, but Bilder will take over and finish him in the third. He suggests live betting Bilder.

Cody picks Lee, citing Bilder's poor takedown accuracy and suspect chin. He notes Lee's explosiveness and power, and thinks Lee can catch Bilder coming forward. He acknowledges Bilder's grit but sees Lee as the more likely winner.

Lee is fully healthy now and has improved his wrestling, which should allow him to stop Bilder's takedowns. Lee's length and striking advantage should be decisive, and he is expected to win by TKO within the first 10 minutes. Bilder has a tendency to get demoralized if his takedowns don't work.

Paul picks Lee, noting Bilder's disappointing performances and lack of finishing instinct. He thinks Lee's power and aggression can get the job done, though he's not fully confident in the price.

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, citing his superior grappling and technical striking. He notes that Bilder is an aggressive grappler who doesn't take unnecessary risks, and that he should be able to control the fight. He acknowledges Kyle Nelson's decent losses and recent grappling improvements, but still believes Bilder gets the win. He considers Bilder for a safety parlay.

Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round TKO. He notes that Bilder is extremely tough and has a high pace, while Kyle Nelson has cardio issues and tends to gas in fast-paced fights. Bilder often gets dropped early but comes back, and Nelson's best chance is wrestling, but his cardio will fail. He expects Bilder to take over late and finish.

Cody picks Blake Bilder, but suggests live betting him after the first round because Nelson may come out aggressively and could knock Bilder out early. He notes that Bilder has good cardio and a solid one-two, but his defense is shaky. He expects Bilder to take Nelson down and outwork him as Nelson tires. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds in this fight.

Connor picks Blake Bilder but is hesitant, noting that the test will come immediately while Bilder is still cold, which could be a prospect loss. He points out that Nelson is a very hard puncher with long reach, and that Bilder's only good sign was against Shane Young, who is not a high-level test. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's opponents tend to be fragile and get knocked out early, but since Bilder hasn't been knocked out yet, he won't pick against him. He thinks the odds movement toward Bilder is notable.

Daniel Levi picks Blake Bilder, citing that Bilder has better boxing, pace, and conditioning than Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson has low output and fades, while Bilder has shown a dog mentality and can push a high volume. He acknowledges that Bilder has a questionable chin and has been dropped before, but believes Nelson is too slow and telegraphed to capitalize. He warns against using Bilder as a heavy parlay piece.

James picks Blake Bilder to win but is not confident at -250. He thinks Bilder is more well-rounded and should get takedowns, possibly finding a submission in round two. However, he notes Kyle Nelson has more UFC experience, hits hard early, and is fighting for his job in Canada. James wouldn't be surprised if Nelson gets an early knockout or a split decision. He advises against laying -250 on Bilder as he's not a minus-250 type fighter.

Bilder has excellent lateral movement and a well-rounded game, while Nelson's only path is a puncher's chance. Nelson's attempts to grapple have failed due to poor cardio, and Bilder is the superior grappler. Expect Bilder to use his movement to set up takedowns, eventually finding a late submission. The stylistic matchup heavily favors Bilder.

Paul picks Blake Bilder, noting that Nelson has poor cardio and wrestling. He believes Bilder is the better wrestler and will take Nelson down, especially as Nelson fades. He expects a finish in the second or third round. He also mentions that Nelson's best chance is an early KO, but he thinks Bilder will survive and take over.

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Kyle Nelson, arguing that Nelson has shown his limit with poor performances and losses to low-level competition. He notes Bilder is undefeated and well-rounded, with a good ground and stand-up game. He believes Bilder's potential is unknown and worth gambling on, expecting him to outpoint Nelson.

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, believing his aggressive grappling will be too much for Shane Young, who is returning after a layoff and losses. He notes that Young is a solid striker but likely cannot keep the fight standing against Bilder's takedowns. He compares the situation to Al Iaquinta vs Bobby Green, suggesting Young is on the card for hometown reasons rather than a career resurgence.

Big Brady is not a big fan of this matchup from a betting perspective. He likes Young's pressure and volume, and thinks Young can stuff takedowns and be the better striker. However, he notes Bilder is dangerous on the ground and leaves openings. He picks Young by decision but with low confidence.

Cody picks Bilder as an underdog, citing his power, athleticism, and aggression. He notes Young has looked disinterested and lacks physicality, while Bilder is a wild man who can knock people out or submit them. He thinks Young's two-year layoff and poor recent performances are concerning. He likes the fight doesn't go to decision prop.

Connor picks Bilder, believing that despite his passive style and awkward defense, he is a great athlete who can take Young's back at some point. He notes that Young has a habit of drifting out of fights when pressured, and that Bilder's athleticism and ability to capitalize on mistakes could lead to a win. However, Connor is not confident because Bilder's game is very limited.

Young is the crisper striker with better movement and takedown defense. Bilder's path to victory is grappling, but Young's improving takedown defense and ability to get back up will keep the fight standing. Young's speed and precision will allow him to land combinations and eventually find a knockout. Bilder has been hurt in fights before. Young, returning after a layoff, will want to make a statement. Expect a second-round KO.

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that he took the fight doesn't go to decision at -125. He notes Bilder is a wrecking ball and Young has never been impressive. He thinks the fight will be high volatility and likely end inside the distance.

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Shane Young, citing Young's poor performances and long layoff. He believes Bilder's momentum from the contender series and his experience will lead to a first-round finish. He notes Young has let him down too many times.