Damian Pinas

AJ picks Damian Pinas by knockout, citing Pinas's 'touch of death' power and straight right hand. He believes Pinas's speed and reach advantage will allow him to land first on Almeida, who has been dropped before. He expects Pinas to knock out Almeida with a straight shot and ground and pound.

AJ picks Damian Pinas, believing he will knock out Almeida. He cites Pinas's power, heavy hands, and explosiveness, and sees a straight punch landing on Almeida's chin. AJ thinks Almeida is there to be hit.

AJ picks Pinas to knock out Almeida, emphasizing Pinas's youth, power, and reach advantage. He compares Pinas to a Deontay Wilder type, believing his one-shot power will be too much for the 38-year-old Almeida. AJ notes that Almeida has been dropped before and that Pinas's explosiveness will be decisive.

AJ picks Pinas but notes he is fighting a legit Glory kickboxer in the biggest fight of his career, implying risk. He also mentions he likes Gandra more than Pinas.

AJ is confident in Damian Pinas, calling him a one-shot killer. He expects Pinas to knock out César Almeida in the first round, noting Almeida's vulnerability to straight shots and Pinas's power and speed. He sees Pinas as a blue-chip prospect.

AJ is riding with Damian Pinas to get the knockout, believing in his heavy hands and that he will touch Almeida's chin. He picks Pinas KO round one at +275 (previously +300), noting that Almeida is ripe for the picking and has been caught with straight shots before.

Angelo picks Almeida as the better striker, but is hesitant due to age (38) and potential chin issues. He notes Pinas has fight-ending power and speed, but trusts Almeida's high-level kickboxing technique. He expects a striking match and hopes Almeida's chin holds up.

Angelo picks César Almeida because he is a much more accomplished striker with high-level kickboxing experience. He acknowledges concerns about Almeida's age (38) and that he has been dropped, but believes his striking is so good that he forces opponents to wrestle. He thinks if Pinas comes in trying to knock him out, things could get weird, but Almeida is the better striker and the pick.

Big Brady passes on this fight despite joking about liking Pinas. He cannot lay -275 on Pinas in a striking fight against a high-level kickboxer, and neither fighter has ever been finished. He considers an under bet but decides against it.

Big Brady is confident Pinas wins, likely by KO. He thinks Pinas hits harder and is 14 years younger. He expects a stand-and-bang fight similar to Alasan vs Almeida, where both swing dicks until someone falls. He notes Almeida has never been KO'd but has been dropped badly. He might look at Pinas KO1 or under 1.5 rounds, as he doesn't like laying -210 if it leaves the first round.

Big Brady picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout. He loves Pinas's power and believes he will be the first to knock out Almeida. He notes Almeida's kickboxing experience and never being knocked out, but points out he has been dropped in the UFC. He expects a striking battle and thinks Pinas's power will prevail.

Cody picks César Almeida, arguing he is the better striker with a diverse attack. He notes Pinas's power but questions his durability and cardio. He believes Almeida's veteran savvy and chin will carry him.

Daniel Levi confidently picks Damian Pinas, citing his youth, athleticism, and rapid improvement. He believes Pinas can strike with Almeida and may even showcase new wrestling wrinkles. Levi predicts Almeida, at 38, is about to fall off a cliff, while Pinas is a serious prospect with a bright future.

Jacob picks César Almeida but also likes the value on Damian Pinas first round KO. He compares Almeida to a poor man's Alex Pereira, noting his striking defense isn't great but he has power and a good chin. He thinks Pinas has power and could hurt Almeida early, but if the fight extends, Almeida's experience and striking will take over. He placed a bet on Pinas first round KO but picks Almeida.

Lucrative James picks Damian Pinas via KO, citing Pinas's power and Almeida's age (approaching 40) and history of being hurt. He acknowledges Almeida is the better striker but believes Pinas can catch him early. He notes he might also consider betting Almeida if the line moves, as Almeida could win if he survives the early onslaught.

The host favors technically superior fighters, especially when they are big underdogs. He picks Almeida to knock out Pinas with a perfectly timed counter.

The host favors Almeida's technical striking and kickboxing experience over Pinas's raw power, expecting Almeida to counter Pinas's aggression and find a knockout. He notes Pinas's youth and power are threats but believes Almeida's superior technique will prevail at plus money.

Paul picks César Almeida as a dog, citing his superior kickboxing and durability. He questions Pinas's wrestling and believes Almeida can win if it stays standing. He notes Almeida's experience against elite strikers.

Angelo picks Wes Schultz because of his credentialed wrestling and ability to take down Damian Pinas, whose takedown defense is just okay. He notes that in Mexico, wrestling is scored more favorably than in Vegas. He acknowledges Pinas's power but believes Schultz can neutralize it with takedowns.

Big Brady picks Damian Pinas, citing his knockout power and youth at 23. He acknowledges Pinas is green and has concerns if the fight hits the mat, as Wes Schultz has good jiu-jitsu and a submission win on the Contender Series. However, Brady believes it will be hard for Schultz to take Pinas down, and if he doesn't, Pinas will put him away. He predicts a first-round knockout.

Cody picks Pinas, believing his power and youth will eventually overcome Schultz's wrestling. He expects Pinas to tire Schultz out and knock him out in later rounds. He sees Pinas as the better prospect.

Connor picks Pinas, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Schultz's loss to Dylan Budka is a huge red flag, as Budka caught him with a body lock and slammed him. Pinas hits hard and is instinctive, and Schultz puts himself in position to take hard punches.

Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.

The host finds this fight difficult to predict due to limited footage of both fighters going past the first round. He notes that Damian is explosive and powerful but has never been to a decision, while Schultz has cardio concerns but may have improved. The high altitude in Mexico City adds uncertainty. He concludes it's a great fight for live betting but not for pre-fight bets.

James believes Pinas is the better striker and has superior cardio, while Schultz tends to fade. He expects Pinas to win, likely by knockout, as Schultz's grappling may not be enough.

The host picks Damian Pinas to win by first-round knockout, citing Pinas's athleticism and power. He notes that Pinas is a raw but powerful striker who can put Schultz away early. However, he warns that if the fight goes past the first round, Schultz's wrestling and cardio could take over. He prefers the round 1 KO prop at +250 over the moneyline at -260.

Paul took a small shot on Schultz at +215, citing his superior wrestling and Pinas's potential cardio issues at altitude. He notes Schultz's tendency to gas but believes his grappling can win early rounds. He acknowledges Pinas's power and upside.

The MMA Guru picks Damian Pinas based on his explosiveness and power, noting that Wes Schultz tends to shy away from punches and has shown fear against athletic opponents. He predicts a first-round TKO, citing Pinas's sharp striking and Schultz's vulnerability. He also mentions that Pinas might get cut if he loses, but that doesn't affect his pick.