Jamal Pogues

Angelo picks Hamdy Abdelwahab despite concerns about his two-year suspension and lack of recent fights. He believes Abdelwahab's Olympic-level wrestling will allow him to get takedowns, and notes that Jamal Pogues looked poor off his back in his last fight. He expects the line to flip and plans to monitor line movement before betting.

Big Brady is not sold on either fighter. He notes Hamdy Abdelwahab has a long layoff due to a suspension and wasn't impressed with his performance against Dantel Ma. Jamal Pogues is a light heavyweight moving up, but he showed up heavy and with a weird haircut. Brady thinks Pogues has better cardio and striking down the stretch, and predicts a split decision win for Pogues. He calls the fight 'sloppy greasy gassy' and expects it to be terrible.

Pogues is the better striker and will use his jab from distance to outpoint Abdelwahab, who is returning from a long layoff after a USADA suspension. The pick is based on Pogues' striking advantage and Abdelwahab's potential ring rust.

Angelo picks Thomas Petersen, the prospect, over Jamal Pogues. He notes that the UFC often sets up fights to test prospects, and Petersen's wrestling should be good enough to get Pogues to the ground. He acknowledges Petersen's striking is poor but believes his wrestling will carry him. He also mentions that Pogues lacks one-punch knockout power to turn the fight around.

Big Brady picks Thomas Petersen to win by TKO ground and pound within the first two rounds. He notes Petersen is the bigger, stronger fighter with a wrestling background and vicious ground and pound, while Jamal Pogues has looked lackluster at heavyweight and has been taken down by smaller fighters. The main concern is Petersen's cardio, as he was knocked out in the third round in his only fight that went that far, but Brady expects an early finish.

Cody leans to Petersen, but is wary of Pogues' potential if he makes weight. He notes Pogues' weight issues and poor performance against Parkin. He thinks Petersen's wrestling and cardio could be decisive, but he's not confident.

Petersen has good forward pressure and wrestling, but his gas tank is a concern after gassing in his only loss. Pogues has been to four straight decisions and may struggle to implement his striking or grappling. The host leans slightly to Petersen, expecting him to grind out a decision win if he avoids big shots and manages his cardio.

Paul picks Petersen by submission, taking a small sprinkle at +750. He notes Petersen's wrestling and submission win last time, and Pogues' weight and cardio issues. He thinks the prop is overpriced.

Angelo picks Jamal Pogues because he is faster and busier, and his offensive wrestling should be effective. However, he is concerned about Pogues' takedown defense and Mick Parkin's ability to get on top. He fades betting on this fight due to the uncertainty.

Big Brady picks Mick Parkin to finish Jamal Pogues, but admits it's a shot in the dark. He notes Parkin is untested but looks good against weak competition and trains with high-level guys like Tom Aspinall. He is not high on Pogues, who he thinks looked out of shape in his last fight. He says Parkin could be the real deal or a fraud.

Cody picks Pogues, citing his experience and better competition. He notes Parkin has fought low-level opponents and his cardio is unknown. He thinks Pogues's wrestling and top control will be enough to win a decision.

Daniel picks Jamal Pogues, citing his athleticism and takedown ability, which he showed in his UFC debut against Josh Parisian. He acknowledges Mick Parkin has handled lower-level competition but thinks Pogues' experience and wrestling will be the difference. He admits he has been waiting to fade Pogues but was impressed by his debut. He is not confident enough to bet it, saying 'no conviction here'.

The host picks Mick Parkin as a dog, citing his athleticism, scrambling, striking speed, and overall grappling. He believes Parkin's cardio and ability to reverse positions will be key as the fight goes longer. He predicts Parkin wins inside the distance and calls him one of the better underdogs on the card.

Paul initially considered Parkin as a dog but settled on Pogues due to experience. He thinks Pogues's wrestling and top control will wear down Parkin, who has never fought past the first round. He notes Pogues's low volume but expects him to win.

Angelo picks Parisian, citing his volume striking and UFC experience. He notes Parisian set heavyweight significant strike records and has a grappling win over Alan Baudot. Angelo thinks Pogues is a decent but not powerful heavyweight who doesn't move his head. He believes Parisian's higher-level experience will be the difference, and the line movement favoring Pogues is surprising. He considers a Parisian by decision bet at plus odds.

Big Brady sees a clear path for Pogues via wrestling, as Parisian has terrible takedown defense and get-up game, as shown in the Dontale Mayes fight. He notes that Pogues didn't wrestle in his last fight, which is a concern, but if he does, he should dominate. He predicts a decision win, but warns against betting the -250 line.

Cody picks Pogues but doesn't like the -240 line for an unproven UFC debutant. He notes Pogues is young (27), has good cardio for a heavyweight, and has a wrestling advantage. However, he warns that Pogues' striking is mechanical and he's there to get countered. He also mentions Parisian's only good characteristic is being a bona fide heavyweight, and if Parisian gets top position, it's a big body to move off. He says it's a greasy heavyweight spot and he's not confident.

Connor picks Parisian because he is bigger and can make the fight brutal. He thinks Pogues' gas tank may not hold up against Parisian's pressure, and Parisian's toughness and aggression could wear Pogues down. Connor notes that Pogues has not faced a fighter like Parisian who will crash into him repeatedly.

Jacob picks Pogues but is not confident enough to bet. He thinks Pogues has a wrestling advantage and will be more active with his jab, outworking Parisian. However, he notes Pogues isn't a finisher and Parisian has a dog in him. Jacob expects a sloppy, close fight and might consider a live bet on Parisian if the fight is close in the third round.

Pogues has a strong grappling base and good cardio, which should overwhelm Parisian, who fades in deep waters. Parisian's striking is flashy but his gas tank is poor. Pogues can take him down and grind out a decision, or even finish late.

Paul also picks Pogues but is hesitant. He notes Parisian's wrestling narrative is overblown, as he was taken down by Parker Porter and Dantale Maze. He says Pogues should have speed, technical striking, and cardio advantages. However, he acknowledges Parisian has a size advantage (20-25 pounds) and could use it against the cage. He says he loves betting underdogs but cannot get on board with Parisian.

The MMA Guru picks Jamal Pogues, though he wasn't impressed by his Contender Series performance. He notes Pogues has a long reach and somewhat crisp boxing, and is young enough to take his career seriously now. He criticizes Josh Parisian as a bottom-feeder heavyweight, but acknowledges Parisian is not complete garbage. He predicts a decision win in a great scrap.