Wellington Turman

Big Brady leans toward Jared Gooden as a dog, noting he doesn't think Wellington Turman should be such a big favorite. He favors Gooden's striking and power, and thinks Gooden's takedown defense is solid enough to stuff Turman's wrestling. He expects a close fight but picks Gooden by decision, though he's not confident enough to bet on it.

Cody picks Turman, agreeing that he mixes in takedowns and makes it ugly. He thinks Turman's size at welterweight helps his grappling. He notes Turman trains with top guys and this is a good matchup. He doesn't love the price but picks him.

Lucrative James picks Wellington Turman, stating that despite Turman's inconsistent fight IQ and chin issues, he has too many advantages to lose. He notes Turman's decent striking and grappling skills, and believes he can win by decision or submission. He acknowledges Jared Gooden's power but thinks Turman's overall game will prevail.

Turman is a BJJ black belt with improving striking, and he should be able to take Gooden down and dominate on the ground. Gooden is a power striker with a developing ground game, but he has shown weakness when taken down and has weight-cutting issues. Turman is expected to be competitive on the feet before changing levels and securing a submission victory.

Paul picks Turman, citing his youth, move to welterweight, and training with Glover Teixeira. He thinks Turman's grappling and takedowns will be the difference. He notes Gooden's takedown defense is poor and Turman can mix in wrestling. He doesn't love the price but thinks Turman wins more often than not.

Angelo is confident in Randy Brown, citing his length, power, takedown defense, and BJJ. He expects Brown to stay on the outside and jab, avoiding a ground game. He notes Wellington Turman's striking looked good in his last fight but doesn't think it will be enough against Brown's reach and skills.

Big Brady picks Randy Brown, citing a significant striking advantage with a six-inch reach advantage. He notes Turman's questionable chin, having been knocked out by Andrew Sanchez. He acknowledges Turman's path to victory via wrestling but believes Brown's grappling is good enough to defend. He predicts a first-round knockout, especially if Turman has a bad weight cut.

Cody picks Brown, noting his speed and linear striking. He expects Turman to gas after the first round and Brown to take over. He mentions Turman's poor takedown accuracy and cardio issues.

Connor believes Randy Brown should win this fight easily. He notes that Brown has limitations like poor kick defense and a tendency to throw one shot from range that puts him out of position, but Turman's game is entirely based on dogged toughness and cage wrestling. Turman's takedowns come from the cage, not open space, and Brown is a great clinch fighter and hard to take down against the cage. Connor also points out that Turman is dropping down a division and has a six-inch reach disadvantage, making Brown feel fast. He thinks there's a lot of room for error for Brown, meaning a lot of room for fun.

Daniel Levi picks Randy Brown, citing his length, skill, and experience. He notes Brown's occasional showboating and chin questions but thinks he is the more skilled fighter. He is not laying -220 due to Brown's inconsistency and Turman's danger, but picks Brown to win.

The host picks Randy Brown to win by decision. He believes Brown's slick striking and distance management will be too much for Turman, who struggles to close the distance and get takedowns. He notes Turman's grappling advantage is nullified if he can't get the fight to the ground, and expects Brown to pick him apart from range.

Paul picks Brown, citing his speed and reach advantage. He expects Brown to use his jab and movement to win a decision, though he notes Turman's strength and potential grappling. He considers live betting if Turman wins the first round.

The Guru picks Randy Brown, expressing concern about Wellington Turman moving down to welterweight. He believes Brown has a clear skill advantage on the feet and that Turman's weight cut will leave him vulnerable. He predicts Brown will pick Turman apart with knees and elbows in the clinch and finish by TKO in the second round after Turman fails takedown attempts.

Angelo believes Petroski has superior wrestling and solid BJJ, and expects him to get takedowns and avoid submissions. He notes that Turman is training with Glover and Pajeda, which is a positive, but still picks Petroski. He warns that Turman's armbar over Misha Cirkunov was impressive and any mistake could cost Petroski. He plans to bet on Petroski's takedown line when it drops.

Big Brady picks Wellington Turman to win by third-round submission, pulling off an upset. He is not sold on Andre Petroski, citing his poor cardio and weak competition (Yizong, Michael Gilmore, Nick Maximov). He notes Turman is a legit BJJ black belt with 85% takedown defense, and that Petroski tired and got submitted by Brian Battle. He believes Turman will survive early pressure and get a late finish as Petroski fades.

Cody picks Turman as a slight flyer, noting that Petroski has suspect cardio despite third-round finishes. He thinks Turman is a better striker and has good grappling off his back, and that if Petroski gasses, Turman can take over. Cody also mentions that Turman trains with Glover Teixeira and Alex Pereira, which should have him in good shape. He sees value in the underdog price.

Connor picks Turman, reasoning that Petroski's high-energy, submission-hunting style leads to gassing, and Turman has never been submitted despite looking panicked. He notes that Turman has survived against dangerous grapplers and has more left in the tank after the first round. Connor acknowledges that Petroski will likely win the first round but expects Turman to take over as the fight goes on.

Daniel Levi picks Andre Petroski, citing his wrestling background, grappling credentials (submitted Eric Anders in a tournament), and high-volume pressure. He notes that Turman has shown weaknesses in getting his back taken and losing rounds late (e.g., Sam Alvey fight). Levi believes Petroski will win the first two rounds or get a finish, though he acknowledges Petroski's tendency to gas. He sees Turman as a step up in competition but thinks Petroski's grappling will be too much.

The host sees Petroski as the slightly better Jiu-Jitsu player with a strength advantage, but the line at -200 is too wide for him to bet. He considers the under 2.5 rounds but worries both grapplers could neutralize each other, leading to a decision. He predicts Petroski by submission in round 2 but with low conviction.

Paul also picks Turman, citing recency bias in the line. He notes that Petroski was a +300 underdog against Nick Maximov and now is -200 after a first-round submission, which seems like an overreaction. Paul thinks Turman can match Petroski on the ground and has more technical striking. He sees it as a clear dog-or-pass situation and takes Turman.

The MMA Guru picks Andre Petroski, citing his dominant performances and grappling wins over Eric Anders and Phil Hawes. He believes Petroski has advantages on both feet and ground, with good chain takedowns and submission awareness. He predicts a decision win, noting Turman's unimpressive split decision over Sam Alvey.

Big Brady picks Misha Cirkunov to win, likely by first-round TKO. He notes Cirkunov is much bigger with a five-inch reach advantage and has very good wrestling and grappling, having submitted legit light heavyweights. He criticizes Turman's striking defense and negative strike differential, and points out that Turman was outgrappled by Carl Roberson. Brady believes Cirkunov can win on the feet or on the mat, and sees Turman's path to victory as unlikely.

Cody picks Turman as an underdog, citing his youth (25), better cardio, and training at Glover Teixeira's gym. He notes Cirkunov's poor striking, declining chin, and inability to get takedowns against Giaco. Cody believes Turman's volume and durability will pay off as Cirkunov fades, and he plans to live-bet Turman if Cirkunov doesn't finish early.

Daniel Levi picks Wellington Turman to edge out a decision. He questions Misha Cirkunov's heart and notes he has folded in tough fights. Levi believes Turman is hungrier and more confident after his last win, and that Cirkunov's best days are behind him. He warns that Turman must avoid getting finished early but expects him to pull away down the stretch.

The host leans with Cirkunov, believing he will be stronger and craftier in grappling exchanges. He expects Cirkunov to land takedowns and assert top position, eventually finding a finish via submission or ground and pound. He notes both fighters have durability and fight IQ issues but favors Cirkunov's jiu-jitsu from the top. His favorite play is 'fight doesn't go to decision' at -190.

Paul leans toward Turman as an underdog, noting both fighters are chinny but Turman has better volume and striking. He parlayed the over 1.5 rounds in this fight with Gegard Mousasi at +128. Paul sees this as a competitive fight that could go either way, but Turman's cardio and youth give him an edge.

Angelo picks Turman, citing his BJJ black belt, slick ground game, and clear path to victory via takedowns. He notes training feedback from Dan Cramer that Turman feels good. He acknowledges Alvey's deceptive power but believes Turman will get the submission.

Cody picks Alvey as a dog, citing his strong takedown defense and power. He notes that Turman has poor takedown accuracy and tends to lose position on the ground. Cody thinks Alvey's veteran savvy and ability to fight 15 minutes will pay off. He is concerned about Alvey's recent losing streak but believes the style matchup favors him.

Jacob picks Turman but is hesitant, noting Turman was knocked out cold two months ago and may be hesitant. He agrees the UFC is feeding Alvey to Turman, but warns Alvey is tough and could win if he eats shots. He stayed away from betting.

Lock picks Alvey by KO at +300, believing Alvey's power and durability will be too much for Turman. He notes Turman has shown poor durability, getting knocked out by Andrew Sanchez and Bruno Silva. Lock thinks Alvey's takedown defense and clinch strength will keep the fight standing, where he can land a big shot. He expects Alvey to win minutes only by knockout, not decision.

Paul picks Alvey, surprised himself but noting that Turman is the exact type of fighter Alvey can beat. He highlights Alvey's takedown defense and left hand power. Paul thinks Turman's grappling is overrated and that he tires easily. He expects Alvey to win by knockout or decision.

Angelo picks Bruno Silva, citing his knockout power and clinch work. He acknowledges the layoff and PED suspension as question marks. He thinks Silva can catch Turman early, but is not confident enough to bet straight. He bet on Turman by submission at +500 and under 2.5 rounds, hedging both sides.

Big Brady sees this as a 50/50 fight. He notes Silva has many submission losses and poor grappling, while Turman is a BJJ black belt. He thinks Turman will get takedowns and submit Silva, but acknowledges Silva could knock him out early.

Cody picks Silva, emphasizing Silva's knockout power and proven ability as a sizable underdog in Russia. He notes Silva's cardio issues and two-year layoff but believes his power and pressure will overwhelm Turman, who has suspect chin and wrestling. Cody suggests Silva by KO is a solid play.

Daniel Levi picks Bruno Silva in his long-awaited UFC debut, but with hesitation due to the two-year layoff and USADA suspension. He notes that Silva looked impressive in his wins over Alexander Shlemenko and Artem Frolov, and that he has improved his get-up game and durability. However, he worries about Silva gassing out or giving up bad positions if he comes in too emotional. He expects a knockout if Silva is the same fighter.

Jacob picks Wellington Turman, citing his BJJ and body lock takedowns. He thinks Turman will take Silva down and submit him, noting Silva's losses by submission. He is concerned about Silva's power but believes Turman's grappling will prevail. He does not have either in his lineup.

The host picks Wellington Turman, citing his grappling ability and the uncertainty around Bruno Silva coming off a USADA suspension. He believes Turman can get the fight to the ground and nullify Silva's power. He notes Silva's sketchy takedown defense and that Turman is a solid grappler. He predicts a decision win for Turman, but also sees a submission as live given Silva has been tapped before. He acknowledges Turman's recent KO loss but thinks his chin will hold up.

Paul picks Silva, noting his power and the fact that he was a plus 145 underdog initially. He mentions Silva's cardio and layoff as red flags but believes his power is a difference-maker. Paul also likes the under 2.5 rounds and Silva by KO props.

Big Brady picks Sanchez as an underdog, believing his wrestling and takedown defense will neutralize Turman's ground game. He notes Sanchez's higher striking volume and experience. He predicts a decision win for Sanchez.

Daniel Levi leans with Wellington Turman, but acknowledges it could go either way. He notes that Turman is young, hungry, and has shown improvement, while Sanchez has questions about his chin and cardio. Levi believes Turman's aggression and youth might edge out a split decision, but he is not confident due to Sanchez's wrestling and durability.

Sanchez's wrestling should be able to take Turman down and control him, as Turman's takedown defense is not as strong as Marvin Vettori's. Sanchez showed improved cardio in his last fight, but his past cardio issues are a concern. He should avoid submissions from Turman and grind out a decision, though the third round could be dangerous if he gasses.