Jennifer Maia

Angelo is very confident in Jennifer Maia, calling her at -141 a great deal. He thinks she is better everywhere except raw takedowns, and expects her to weather Araújo's early storm, take over striking, and win a decision due to superior cardio. He already placed a unit on her and expects the line to widen.

Big Brady picks Viviane Araújo with little confidence. He likes her striking and wrestling advantage early, but worries about her poor cardio and durability. He expects Araújo to win the first round, Maia the third, and the fight to go to a close decision that could be affected by judges.

Cody picks Araújo, citing her superior speed and technique. He notes that at her best, she is faster and cleaner than Maia, and can mix in takedowns to steal rounds. He acknowledges her past cardio issues but believes she has corrected them in recent fights, pointing to her performances against Andrea Lee and Alexa Grasso. He expects a 15-minute fight and thinks Araújo can win two of three rounds.

The host picks Jennifer Maia, citing her superior experience, cardio, and ability to withstand Araújo's early striking. He expects Maia to take over in the second and third rounds, possibly using takedowns to wear on Araújo. He predicts a decision win for Maia.

Paul leans towards Maia based on her high volume in recent fights (109 and 145 significant strikes). He acknowledges Araújo's takedown threat but notes that judges now require control time and damage from top position. He expects a close decision and thinks Maia's volume will edge it. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds at -450 as a potential play.

Angelo picks Casey O'Neill but is not betting. He thinks O'Neill will come forward with volume and wrestling, but her takedown defense was exposed against Roxanne. He notes Jennifer Maia is well-rounded and tough, and could cause problems if she gets takedowns. He expects a close fight.

Big Brady picks O'Neill, noting Maia refuses to wrestle despite being a black belt. He believes if Maia went for takedowns she would win, but she won't. On the feet, O'Neill has higher output and will win a decision. He is not a big fan of O'Neill but likes her stylistically here.

Cody picks Maia as an underdog, citing the 'dog or pass' strategy in women's MMA. He notes O'Neill is young, green, and pushed too fast, while Maia is a veteran who fought for a title. He thinks Maia's experience and clinch strength could be factors, but acknowledges O'Neill's wrestling and top control are threats. He expects to lose but trusts the long-term underdog strategy.

Connor picks Maia because she is a tough, durable fighter who is difficult to take down off the cage. He notes that Maia has improved her boxing and aggression, landing left hooks and combinations. O'Neill relies on size and aggression but has poor defense and footwork. Connor thinks Maia's defensive wrestling and low center of gravity will neutralize O'Neill's takedowns. He also mentions that O'Neill's wild style leaves openings that Maia can exploit with straight punches.

Jacob is a big fan of Casey O'Neill and picks her to win a close decision. He thinks her experience against Roxanne prepared her for a similar pressure fighter in Maia. He notes O'Neill has a bad [__] in the octagon and will find a way to win in a close fight. He expects a 29-28 decision.

O'Neill is coming back from a devastating knee injury but is young and trains at a high level. Maia is a BJJ black belt who prefers striking, and her experience could be a factor. O'Neill's strength and aggression should allow her to grind out a decision, but there are many question marks. No betting interest at the current line.

Paul picks O'Neill but is hesitant. He notes O'Neill's grappling advantage and thinks she can win on volume and takedowns. However, he points out O'Neill didn't look great against Roxanne Modafferi and struggled early against Antonina Shevchenko. He thinks minus 180 is too high and prefers O'Neill over 2.5 takedowns on PrizePicks. He says it will be dicey and your butt will be puckered until the final bell.

The MMA Guru picks Jennifer Maia over Casey O'Neill, going against the majority. He notes O'Neill looked suspect against Roxanne Modafferi and gets caught on the feet, while Maia has crisp boxing and a good submission game. Maia has gone the distance with Valentina Shevchenko and given problems to top fighters. He believes Maia is underrated and O'Neill is overhyped as a prospect.

Angelo picks Manon Fiorot, citing her nasty striking, killer instinct, and finishing power. He notes that Jennifer Maia's 33% takedown accuracy and only two takedowns in eight UFC fights won't be enough to get her out of danger against Fiorot's striking. He acknowledges Maia's experience and well-roundedness but believes Fiorot's striking differential and ability to work back to her feet make the difference.

Big Brady picks Manon Fiorot to win by decision. He states that Maia does not use her grappling, averaging only 0.25 takedowns per 15 minutes, and will not win a striking fight against Fiorot. He notes that Fiorot is a big favorite and the line is widening. He cautions that Fiorot should not take Maia down, as Maia is dangerous off her back, but expects Fiorot to out-strike her.

Cody picks Fiorot, comparing her to Caitlin Chookagian who outpointed Maia. He notes Fiorot's mobility, karate background, and striking variety. He thinks Maia is slow and will be outpointed. He likes Fiorot by decision prop.

Daniel Levi picks Manon Fiorot, believing she will outpoint Maia with her sidekicks and volume. He notes Maia has the tools to win via takedowns but doesn't trust her to execute early enough. He thinks Fiorot is a legit prospect and will win on the scorecards, but the price (-400) is too high to bet. He calls it a dog or pass situation.

The host is high on Fiorot, citing her striking improvement, size advantage, and ability to replicate the game plan Catelyn Chookagian used against Maia. He expects Fiorot to keep the fight standing, use her speed and power, and potentially get a finish. He notes Maia is on short notice and that Fiorot's takedown defense and balance are strong.

Paul picks Fiorot, expecting her to win a decision. He notes her range weapons and pace will break Maia. He thinks Maia is durable but slow and flat-footed. He prefers Fiorot by decision prop.

Angelo picks Cerminara based on her volume and pace, referencing their first fight where she outstruck Maia even while on her back for half a round. He expects Maia to grapple more but believes Cerminara's takedown defense and striking output will win another decision.

Big Brady expects the fight to play out similarly to their first meeting, with Cerminara using her reach and staying on the outside to outpoint Maia. He criticizes Maia's fight IQ, noting she rarely shoots takedowns despite having good grappling. He thinks Maia could win if she wrestles but does not trust her to do so. He picks Cerminara by decision but is not touching the moneyline due to the close nature of the fight.

Cody picks Chookagian, highlighting her volume, speed, and improved grappling since the first fight. He doubts Maia's ability to implement a wrestling-heavy game plan, noting Maia's takedown success is overblown. He expects Chookagian to win by decision, likely 30-27 or 29-28. He recommends the decision prop at -120.

Daniel Levi leans toward Katlyn Cerminara (Chookagian) but is not confident. He notes that Chookagian's volume and movement at distance will likely edge two rounds, but Maia has a path to victory if she implements her grappling earlier. He mentions Maia's top control and that she won a round against Valentina Shevchenko. Levi thinks the line should be closer and could see Maia winning, but ultimately leans Chookagian.

The host expects a repeat of their first fight, where Cerminara's stick-and-move style frustrated Maia. He believes Cerminara's range and movement will be too much for Maia, who hasn't shown significant improvement since their last bout. He notes Maia's takedown success in the third round of their first fight but thinks Cerminara can escape similar positions. The host is confident in Cerminara winning a decision, citing her consistent performance against similar opponents.

Paul picks Chookagian, expecting a similar fight to their first where Chookagian's volume and reach advantage win rounds. He notes Maia's path is takedowns, but doubts she can secure them early and often. He mentions Chookagian's improved ground game and Maia's inconsistent wrestling. He sees a decision win for Chookagian.

Angelo picks Maia, stating she is better everywhere. He notes Maia has good jiu-jitsu and underrated striking, while Eye is a step behind and struggles when bullied. He expects Maia to close distance, grapple, and win a decision. He suggests a prop bet on unanimous decision for plus odds.

Big Brady picks Jennifer Maia to win by decision, but with low confidence. He notes that Maia should take the fight to the ground, but she has only attempted four takedowns in her entire UFC career. He thinks if she gets one takedown, she can ride out the round. He acknowledges the striking is close and that Eye has more volume. He is concerned about the -200 line and says he would never bet that. He picks Maia based on the assumption she fights smart.

Cody picks Maia, noting her improvement and grappling advantage. He thinks Eye has declined and has weight issues. He expects Maia to use takedowns and control to win a decision.

Daniel Levi picks Jennifer Maia. He notes that Maia is in the best spot of her career, coming off a first-round finish of Joanne Calderwood and a win over Roxanne Modafferi, and even won a round against Valentina Shevchenko. He questions whether Maia will be motivated after the title loss. He also notes that Jessica Eye has looked unmotivated in recent losses and is a hot-and-cold fighter. He thinks Maia is stronger but acknowledges Eye is capable of surprising.

Jacob also picks Maia, citing her shoot boxing background and precise hands. He notes Eye is experienced but inconsistent. He is hesitant to put Maia in his lineup due to Eye's potential to surprise, but he leans Maia. He mentions he would wait to see what Dan thinks.

I'm taking Jessica Eye at plus money. The line on Maia is too high due to recency bias from her performance against Valentina. Maia is not a takedown artist; she's a striker. Eye has good volume and pressure, as seen in her wins over Viviane Araujo and Catlin Chookagian. I think this fight should be a pick'em, and Eye has value. I expect a close decision, possibly a split, and I'm on Eye.

Paul picks Maia, noting Eye's recent poor performances and weight miss. He thinks Maia's grappling and pressure will be key. He expects Maia to win by decision.

Big Brady picks Valentina Shevchenko to win by third-round knockout. He states she is clearly the better fighter and arguably the women's GOAT behind Nunes. He expects her to finish Maia within the first few rounds.

Daniel picks Shevchenko to win by knockout, dismissing any chance of an upset. He notes Maia has been knocked out before and that Shevchenko is a dominant champion. He expects a finish, though he acknowledges a decision is possible.

The host picks Valentina Shevchenko to win by second or third round KO. He believes she is superior everywhere and will finish Maia, who he views as a lamb brought to slaughter. He recommends betting Shevchenko inside the distance rather than the moneyline.

Big Brady picks Joanne Calderwood (Joanne Wood) to win by decision. He thinks she is the better overall fighter with higher volume striking and improved ground game. He notes that her striking should be sharp because she was preparing to fight Valentina Shevchenko. However, he expresses caution due to recent poor luck betting on women's MMA fights.

Daniel picks Joanne Wood, citing her higher output and well-roundedness. He notes that she doesn't have to worry about takedown threats from Maia and should outland her with kicks and volume. He expects a decision win.

The host picks Joanne Wood, citing her evolution in mixing wrestling with striking, and notes that Jennifer Maia has poor get-up game when taken down, as seen in the Alexis Davis fight. He believes Wood will take Maia down and grind out a decision, despite Maia having a slight edge in pure Muay Thai. He also mentions Wood's training at Syndicate MMA and her motivation for a title shot.