Albert Duraev

Angelo picks Albert Duraev, liking his wrestling pace and takedowns. He notes Park is well-rounded with good takedown defense but is not dangerous enough to threaten Duraev. He is surprised Duraev is a plus-money underdog and plans to use the line movement tracker to bet him at the best price. He thinks Duraev can grind out a decision.

Big Brady picks Park Jun-yong, calling him underrated. He notes Park has good durability, cardio, and well-rounded skills, while Duraev has four knockout losses and slows down in fights. He expects a close decision where Park's volume and cardio edge him ahead, possibly mixing in takedowns late. He thinks -150 is about right.

Cody leans toward Park, citing Duraev's red flags: low takedown success rate (1/9 vs Coppola, 2/9 vs Buckley), gas tank issues, and being a low-output striker. He thinks Park's volume and durability will win striking exchanges, but acknowledges Duraev could win via takedowns or cage control. He expects a close, greasy decision and doesn't love the -150 price.

The host expects Park's pressure and cardio to wear down Duraev as the fight goes on. He thinks Duraev will have early wrestling success but fade, allowing Park to land damaging strikes and potentially get a late finish or decision. He notes the line is a bit steep but still sees value.

Paul leans toward Park, noting Park's recent finishes via rear-naked chokes against grapplers, but thinks that path is off the table here. He expects Park to keep it on the feet and use his chin, while Duraev hasn't shown power. He thinks it goes the full 15 minutes and leans Park at -150, but acknowledges judging could swing either way.

Angelo picks Njokuani, citing his striking power, speed, and solid takedown defense. He notes that Duraev is a takedown machine but not relentless, and that Njokuani can find the chin if Duraev gives him time. He mentions that Njokuani showed good takedown defense and adversity management in his last fight. He is interested in a takedown prop bet for Duraev but thinks Njokuani wins.

Big Brady picks Chidi Njokuani by first-round knockout, citing his size advantage (height and reach) and power. He notes Duraev's chinny history (all four losses by KO) and questions his wrestling ability. Brady believes if Duraev doesn't get a takedown in the first round, he gets knocked out. He acknowledges Njokuani's past cardio and quit issues but thinks he finishes early.

Cody picks Njokuani, noting his improved grappling and BJJ black belt, which makes him a dual threat. He believes Duraev will struggle to get takedowns and will tire as the fight goes on, allowing Njokuani to take over in rounds 2 and 3. He mentions Njokuani's height advantage and durability. He also likes the over 1.5 rounds regardless of winner.

Connor picks Njokuani because Duraev's striking is a mess and he likes to strike, which plays into Njokuani's dangerous counter-striking. He notes Duraev's takedowns are often from too far out and he gets hit. He thinks Njokuani's athleticism and kill-shot mentality will prevail, though Duraev could grind out a win.

Jacob also picks Njokuani, noting his strong takedown defense and ability to work through adversity. He thinks Duraev may not be as relentless as needed and that Njokuani will stuff takedowns early and find a knockout. He mentions that Njokuani is a big guy who can overpower in scrambles.

The host is hesitant to take chalk on Njokuani but ultimately picks him by knockout. He notes Njokuani's improving takedown defense and superior striking, but acknowledges Duraev's grappling threat. He thinks the fight likely ends inside the distance, with Njokuani finding an opening in the striking realm. He also mentions 'fight doesn't go to decision' as a good prop.

The Guru picks Njokuani, citing his power, takedown defense, and experience. He criticizes Duraev's chin and inability to implement his grappling. He predicts a first-round KO via knee after stuffing a takedown.

Angelo picks Albert Duraev, citing his dominant wrestling and top pressure. He sees this as a clear striker vs grappler matchup: either Buckley wins early by KO or Duraev wins a control-heavy decision. He notes Duraev hasn't lost since 2015 and all his losses are by KO, so he sides with the wrestler.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley as a dog to win by first-round knockout. He questions Duraev's chin and fight IQ, noting Duraev has been knocked out three times and showed poor takedown efficiency against Kopylov. He believes Buckley has legitimate power and takedown defense, and if Duraev can't get the fight down, Buckley will knock him out.

Cody picks Duraev but with caution, noting Duraev's chin issues (all three losses by first-round KO) and Buckley's power. He thinks Duraev's wrestling and grinding style should work, but Buckley could catch him early. He plans to keep Duraev low on his betting card.

Daniel Levi leans Albert Duraev, believing Duraev is the more skilled fighter and will grind out a win. He notes both fighters have suspect chins and cardio, but thinks Duraev's grappling and power give him an edge. However, he is not confident at -240, calling it a lean rather than a strong pick, and acknowledges Buckley's explosiveness could change the fight at any moment.

Paul is not excited about Buckley and leans toward Duraev, but he's concerned about Duraev's history of getting knocked out early. He thinks Duraev's wrestling should be the difference but acknowledges the risk of a first-round KO.

Big Brady picks Albert Duraev to win by first-round submission. He notes Duraev has excellent wrestling and ground game, while Kopylov showed no resistance on the ground in his debut against Carl Roberson. Duraev's takedowns and grappling are superior, and he expects an easy submission. He acknowledges Kopylov has knockout power but thinks the grappling discrepancy is too large.

Cody agrees, noting Duraev is a multi-millionaire who fights for passion, with a nasty ground game. He highlights Kopylov's long layoff and poor performance against Roberson. He thinks Duraev will get the takedown early and put a beating on Kopylov, who has questionable cardio.

Daniel picks Albert Duraev, citing his experience, well-roundedness, and nastiness. He notes Kopylov's submission loss to Karl Roberson as a red flag. Daniel believes Duraev is meaner, nastier, and more experienced, and will win impressively. He expects Duraev to put it on Kopylov.

Duraev is a high-level wrestler with great takedowns and top control. Kopylov has poor takedown defense and cardio issues, and was submitted by Carl Roberson. Duraev will drag the fight to the ground and finish early, likely in the first round.

Paul is confident in Duraev, calling him a legit Contender Series guy with wrestling and top control. He notes Duraev trains with top guys in Vegas. He thinks Kopylov looked terrible in his UFC debut (submitted by Carl Roberson) and has been inactive. He expects Duraev to get the takedown early and dominate.