Christian Rodriguez

Angelo leans Andre Fili, believing he is the more skilled fighter with better speed and cleaner striking. He notes Christian Rodriguez is a prospect killer but struggles against experienced, well-rounded fighters. However, Fili is unreliable and his chin is questionable. Angelo may change his pick later in the week.

Big Brady picks Christian Rodriguez, noting Andre Fili's recent decline and tendency to get submitted. He highlights Rodriguez's guillotine threat and believes he can snatch a neck if Fili shoots for takedowns. Brady predicts a second-round submission for Rodriguez.

Connor picks Fili because Rodriguez struggles against veterans who don't run into his defensive wall. He notes that Fili will stay at range, use jabs and high kicks, and not get drawn into a wrestling match. Connor points out that Rodriguez has shown an inability to adjust when his plan A fails, as seen against Melquizael Costa. He acknowledges Fili's tendency for catastrophic errors but believes Rodriguez won't capitalize consistently.

The host is a big C-rod fan but thinks he is being overappreciated, making him a chalky favorite. He notes a size advantage for Rodriguez fighting at 145 when he should be at 135, which gives some concern, but believes it's a matter of time before Rodriguez finds a submission opportunity and forces the tap.

The MMA Guru picks Andre Fili as an underdog, despite acknowledging Christian Rodriguez should win. He believes Fili's size, reach, and veteran savvy will be too much, and that Rodriguez can't finish him. He predicts a close 29-28 decision win for Fili.

Connor picks Rodriguez, noting his excellent wrestling and grappling defense against powerful wrestlers. He thinks Costa's structureless, erratic style will play into Rodriguez's hands, allowing him to show offensive wrestling. However, he cautions that Rodriguez can be too defensive on the feet, as seen against Julian Erosa.

Angelo picks Austin Bashi, believing he is a better prospect than those Christian Rodriguez has beaten before. He notes Bashi's well-rounded skills, particularly his grappling and improved striking. He thinks Bashi's wrestling and cardio will be too much for Rodriguez, who has been submitted before. He considers Bashi safe to bet on despite being a UFC debutant.

Big Brady is extremely high on Bashi, calling him the number one prospect from contender series. He notes Bashi is well-rounded, has great cardio, and can wrestle for 15 minutes, unlike previous undefeated prospects who gassed against Rodriguez. He acknowledges Rodriguez has beaten undefeated prospects before, but believes Bashi's cardio and durability will be the difference. He predicts Bashi wins by decision in a close fight.

Cody picks Bashi despite the high price, believing his wrestling and youth will overwhelm Rodriguez. He notes Rodriguez's poor takedown defense and weight misses at 135. He expects Bashi to secure takedowns and win two of three rounds.

Connor picks Rodriguez because of his experience and craft, despite being physically outmatched. Rodriguez is an excellent scrambler, patient, and persistent, and he has shown he can outlast stronger opponents like Dulgarian. Bashi is a great prospect, but this is a tough stylistic matchup for him. Connor notes that Rodriguez's boxing and positional grappling are high-level, and he believes Rodriguez's determination and fight IQ will carry him through.

Daniel thinks Rodriguez is in the wrong weight class (too small for featherweight) and has had issues with grapplers who gas, but Bashi has endless cardio and strong grappling. He predicts Bashi will have grappling success and win a decision, similar to Rodriguez's previous fights but without the gas issue. He notes the odds have moved from -190 to -270, making it a pass for betting.

Lucrative James leans toward Christian Rodriguez at plus 250, citing Rodriguez's proven track record against undefeated prospects. He believes Rodriguez is the better striker and has improved his anti-wrestling. He notes that Bashi is a strong grappler but making his UFC debut, which often leads to underperformance. He also mentions that Rodriguez is not a natural featherweight, which is a concern. He hasn't fully decided on a bet yet but sees value.

Rodriguez is a good scrambler and defensive grappler who can cause Bashi trouble in establishing dominant positions. He can then get the fight to striking, where he is the cleaner and superior striker, landing more damage and winning on the scorecards.

Paul leans toward Rodriguez as a dog, questioning Bashi's readiness despite his potential. He notes Rodriguez's experience against prospects and Bashi's greenness. He suggests live betting Bashi after round one if he comes out hot.

The Guru picks Bashi, impressed by his wrestling and experience. He notes Bashi's undefeated record (13-0) and better competition compared to Rodriguez's loss to Julian Erosa. He thinks Bashi's standup is better than R. Rosas Jr.'s and predicts a 29-28 decision, with Rodriguez having a good third round but not enough. He warns that Bashi sometimes fails to capitalize on takedowns and is open on the feet.

Angelo picks Christian Rodriguez but with caution, noting that Rodriguez has been gifted decisions and has never faced a veteran as experienced as Julian Erosa. He acknowledges Rodriguez's slick striking and composure but points out his lack of finishing ability and the fact that Erosa is much larger and more experienced. Angelo warns that the odds seem wide for a fighter who lost to the last tough veteran he faced.

Cody picks Rodriguez, highlighting his youth, cardio, and striking advantage. He notes Erosa's history of getting knocked out and believes Rodriguez will overwhelm him with volume and power. He expects a finish, possibly in the first or second round.

Daniel Vreeland picks Christian Rodriguez to win, predicting his first UFC knockout. He notes that Rodriguez has handed prospects their first losses and that Erosa's chin is a massive liability. He advises Rodriguez to headhunt rather than engage in a technical battle. He believes Rodriguez will pass the Erosa test.

Christian Rodriguez is the slicker striker and one of the best prospects on the roster. Despite a height and reach disadvantage, he will crash the pocket, land combinations, and eventually drop Erosa, leading to a knockout or a club-and-sub opportunity.

Angelo is surprised Rodriguez is an underdog but thinks Dulgarian is a legit prospect with real wrestling and good striking. He compares it to Rodriguez's win over Raul Rosas Jr., noting that Rosas mauled Rodriguez in the first round before gassing. He believes Dulgarian has better cardio and fight IQ, and will get the job done. He sees this as a true test of Dulgarian's potential.

Big Brady picks Isaac Dulgarian to win by first-round TKO. He is impressed by Dulgarian's wrestling and ground-and-pound, and thinks he can take Rodriguez down and finish him early. He notes Rodriguez's takedown defense is not elite and Dulgarian's pace may be too much.

Cody picks Isaac Dulgarian, despite Rodriguez being a legitimate prospect. He highlights Dulgarian's elite wrestling pedigree (D2 champion, three-time state champ in all styles) and his first-round finishing streak. He notes Rodriguez has missed weight twice and is moving up to 145, which could be a disadvantage against a strong wrestler. He believes Dulgarian's pace and wrestling will be too much.

Lucrative James picks Christian Rodriguez despite acknowledging Dulgarian's early-round dominance and wrestling advantage. He believes Rodriguez will lose round one but come back in rounds two and three due to better cardio, scrambling ability, and superior striking. He also thinks Rodriguez has submission opportunities and trusts him to weather the storm, as he has beaten hyped prospects before.

The host considers Rodriguez one of the better prospects but notes he struggled to make 135 lbs and is now fighting at 145 lbs. He expects Rodriguez to give up some takedowns early but provide the most resistance Dulgarian has faced, allowing Rodriguez to work back to his feet and use his superior striking. As Dulgarian slows down, Rodriguez will clamp onto a submission after a poor takedown attempt.

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that Dulgarian trains at altitude in Colorado, which should improve his cardio. He notes that Rodriguez has been taken down and outmuscled early in fights, and Dulgarian is not the kind of opponent you want to face when moving up. He likes the under 2.5 rounds prop.

Angelo picks Cameron Saaiman as an underdog, believing Christian Rodriguez is overvalued after beating a 'high school kid' (Raul Rosas Jr.) who gassed. He thinks Saaiman's technical striking and potential wrestling could be key, but he's not sure if Saaiman will commit to wrestling. He plans to bet on Saaiman if the line moves favorably, possibly taking plus 3.5 rounds.

Big Brady picks Cameron Saaiman by close decision. He likes Saaiman's higher volume striking and cardio, and thinks his grappling is competitive. He sees it as a well-matched fight but leans Saaiman slightly due to his higher ceiling. He will not bet this fight.

Cody picks Rodriguez, highlighting his proven track record against prospects (beating Joshua Weems, competitive with Jonathan Pearce). He notes Rodriguez's excellent cardio, solid striking, and ability to escape bad positions. Cody contrasts Saaiman's rawness and tendency to get taken down, and believes Rodriguez's high fight IQ and grappling will be the difference.

The host picks Christian Rodriguez confidently, citing his technical advantages in striking, grappling, and Jiu-Jitsu. He notes Rodriguez's clean combinations and discipline, and expects him to exploit Saaiman's technical flaws. He predicts a decision win for Rodriguez.

Paul agrees with Cody, pointing to Saaiman's struggles against wrestlers (e.g., losing to Cody Stamann via takedowns). He notes that Rodriguez is more complete at this stage and has shown he can bully opponents on the ground. Paul expects Rodriguez to mix in takedowns and control the fight.

Angelo is confident in Raul Rosas Jr., noting that Christian Rodriguez has been taken down 10 times in the UFC, and Raul is a relentless grappler who doesn't let people up. He thinks it's that simple: Raul will take him down and control him. He has a moneyline bet at -185 and expects the line to move further in Raul's favor.

Big Brady picks Raul Rosas Jr. to win by first-round submission, impressed by his grappling and maturity. He notes that Rodriguez has been taken down by previous opponents and that Rosas has elite BJJ. He warns about Rodriguez's guillotine but believes Rosas will be wise to it. He predicts an early finish.

Cody picks Rosas, arguing that despite his age, he is rapidly improving and his wrestling should be effective against Rodriguez, who has poor takedown defense. Cody notes that Rodriguez is still developing himself and the gap between an 18-year-old and a 25-year-old isn't huge. He believes Rosas' physical maturity and grappling will carry him, and that the price is fair. He acknowledges Rosas may eventually be humbled but not here.

Connor picks Rosas because Rodriguez takes himself out of position and fights into the clinch, where Rosas excels. Rosas is a great back-taker and crushing positional grappler. Rodriguez showed vulnerability to takedowns against Joshua Weems, and Rosas is a much better grappler. Connor doesn't see anything in Rodriguez's game that suggests he can stay off the ground or win if taken down.

Jacob is also confident in Raul, sharing a story about how Raul started grappling after being out-grappled once, showing his natural talent. He notes that Christian Rodriguez likes to scramble, which will lead to Raul taking his back. He predicts a finish after the first takedown.

Rodriguez is a well-rounded prospect with pinpoint striking and good scrambles. Rosas is a young grappling phenom but his striking is raw and he makes positional mistakes. Rodriguez has the composure to reverse positions and keep the fight standing, where he has a clear advantage. I think Rosas's overzealous grappling will be exploited, and Rodriguez wins by knockout or decision.

Paul picks Rodriguez as a dog but is hesitant. He questions Rosas' striking and notes that if Rodriguez can survive the early rounds and get back to his feet, he has a striking advantage. Paul points out Rodriguez's good scrambling and ability to land shots. He also mentions the Florida crowd might favor exciting striking over grinding wrestling. However, he acknowledges Rosas' wrestling is a threat and that Rodriguez has poor takedown defense.

The MMA Guru picks Raul Rosas Jr. to win by second-round submission via face crank. He initially thought decision but changed due to Rodriguez's bad weight cut. He expects Rodriguez to do well early but fade, with Rosas taking over in scrambles and eventually sinking in a choke over the jaw. He describes a detailed grappling sequence leading to the tap.

Big Brady picks Christian Rodriguez to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Rodriguez is on a full camp while Weems is on short notice, and that Rodriguez has shown good cardio and power, as seen in his fight against Jonathan Pierce. He believes Rodriguez will keep the fight standing and break Weems down with volume and power, as Weems primarily wins by submission off his back and is unlikely to get takedowns against Rodriguez.

Cody picks Christian Rodriguez, praising his striking and grappling. He notes Rodriguez's impressive performance against JSP on short notice and believes he is a solid prospect. Cody criticizes Joshua Weems' bare-knuckle boxing background and his loss to Fernie Garcia on the Contender Series. He expects Rodriguez to score a significant knockout early.

Connor picks Weems with a lean, agreeing with Zane that Weems's aggression and power could be decisive. He notes that Rodriguez has a tendency to let opponents dictate the fight, and Weems will try to dictate. Connor also mentions that Rufus Sport fighters often have a sparring mentality and struggle when the fight gets violent, which favors Weems.

Daniel Levi picks Christian Rodriguez, comparing him to Emmanuel Sanchez. He praises Rodriguez's technical striking, scrambling, and toughness, noting his close fight with JSP on short notice. He views Weems as less fundamentally sound and lacking volume. He regrets missing the opener at -160 and will not bet at -350.

Rodriguez has great takedown defense and striking combinations, while Weems relies on submissions from bottom position. Rodriguez's move to Fight Ready MMA in Arizona should improve his game. Weems is likely not UFC caliber and will struggle with Rodriguez's distance management and power. Expect a knockout victory for Rodriguez.

Paul picks Christian Rodriguez, noting his sharp striking and opportunistic grappling. He mentions that Rodriguez looked good against JSP despite the loss. Paul is unimpressed with Weems' resume and believes Rodriguez will intercept him if Weems doesn't get the grappling going early.

Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce despite being high on Rodriguez. He notes Rodriguez is coming up a weight class on short notice, which is a huge disadvantage against a pressure wrestler like Pearce. He predicts Pearce will break Rodriguez with his pace and get a second or third round finish.

Cody is very confident in Pearce, calling him a potential parlay piece. He notes that Rodriguez is taking the fight on short notice, is young and inexperienced, and comes from a kickboxing gym with poor grappling. Cody highlights Pearce's dominant performances at 145, where he ragdolls opponents with takedowns and ground-and-pound. He believes Pearce will press Rodriguez against the cage, take him down, and finish him.

Levi picks Pearce, citing his size (6' at featherweight), relentless pace, and takedown volume. He notes that Rodriguez is talented but too small for featherweight and that Pearce's style of constant pressure and grappling will break him. Levi acknowledges Rodriguez's bright future but believes this is a tough matchup for him.

Pearce has a significant size and strength advantage, with a 5-inch height edge. He will likely implement a takedown-heavy game plan, and Rodriguez is making a short-notice debut at a weight class not his own. Pearce's blueprint from training partners and his own grappling should lead to a finish inside the distance. Pearce inside distance is the pick.

Paul picks Pearce, agreeing that he deserves to be the biggest favorite on the card. He notes that Pearce's pace and strength at 145 are overwhelming, and that Rodriguez is a short-notice replacement with no notable wins. Paul thinks Pearce will use his size and wrestling to dominate.