Joaquin Buckley

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley, emphasizing his dangerous striking and takedown defense. He notes Buckley defended nine takedowns against Usman and landed more significant strikes despite control time. He thinks Brady's chin is suspect after his last knockout loss. He believes Buckley can scramble and get back to striking. He trusts Buckley to let his hands go and not accept positions.

Angelo leans towards Buckley because he saw Buckley throw hands against Usman and not get frozen by takedown threats. He thinks Buckley understands the matchup and will try to knock Brady out. However, he doesn't trust it enough to spend actual money.

Big Brady hesitantly picks Joaquin Buckley, reasoning that in a fight that could go either way, he prefers the underdog. He notes Buckley has power and could knock out Brady if he stuffs takedowns. However, he acknowledges Brady could maul Buckley on the ground. Brady predicts Buckley wins by knockout, but with low confidence.

Cody picks Buckley as an underdog, citing his power, takedown defense, and experience against wrestlers like Usman and Covington. He thinks Buckley can stuff takedowns and land a knockout, as Brady's striking and chin are questionable. Cody acknowledges the risk but likes the plus money.

Connor picks Brady but hesitantly, agreeing with Zane. He notes Buckley's predictable timing and movement, but his relentless pressure could break Brady if the fight goes long. Connor thinks Brady's wrestling should win in three rounds, but Buckley's confidence and cardio make it interesting. He prefers it as a five-round fight.

Daniel picks Buckley, arguing that Brady is a great hammer but not a great nail, and has wilted when pressured. He believes Buckley's power and unpredictability will lead to a knockout, and that Buckley's takedown defense is underrated. Daniel thinks the Usman fight was an anomaly due to the bright lights.

Brady has a huge grappling edge; Buckley's takedown defense and ground game are weak (Usman held him down easily). Brady's offensive wrestling is good, but his control can be compromised by short legs. However, if Brady keeps it simple and controls Buckley from top position with ground and pound, he should win comfortably. Striking gap is not massive; Brady can hold his own. The only way Buckley wins is a flash KO or major improvements to his takedown defense, which is unlikely.

Predicted method: KO/TKO Round 3. Buckley has been on a tear, with four straight wins including a KO over Stephen Thompson and a TKO over Colby Covington. His southpaw stance and power (3.88 SLpM, 36% accuracy) pose problems for Brady, who is coming off a KO loss to Michael Morales. Brady's strength is grappling (3.53 takedowns per round), but Buckley has 72% takedown defense and has shown improved wrestling. Buckley's reach advantage (76" vs 72") helps him land from distance. Expect Buckley to stuff takedowns and land a knockout in the later rounds.

Jacob is confident in Sean Brady, arguing that Brady is a better grappler than Usman and that Buckley looked clueless on the ground against Usman. He believes Brady will outgrapple Buckley and possibly finish him. He notes that Buckley is 4-5 in the UFC when he doesn't record a takedown.

Lucrative James picks Sean Brady because he believes Brady's grappling will be the difference, similar to how Kamaru Usman dominated Buckley. He notes Buckley's poor jiu-jitsu off his back and Brady's superior submission skills. He predicts Brady will submit Buckley via arm triangle, though he acknowledges Buckley's athleticism could make it competitive early. He also mentions Brady's recent knee injury but thinks he will perform.

The host picks Brady by submission, believing his grappling will be too much for Buckley. He notes that Buckley's power is not as dangerous as Morales', and Brady should be able to get takedowns and find dominant positions. He expects a dominant performance and a submission win.

Paul also picks Buckley, citing his improvements against high-level wrestlers and Brady's limited striking and durability. He thinks Buckley's power and takedown defense will be key, and that Brady's path to victory is narrow. Paul expects Buckley to win by knockout.

The MMA Guru picks Sean Brady, citing his high-level grappling and ability to exploit Buckley's wrestling weaknesses. He notes Usman easily held down Buckley, and Brady's takedown timing is excellent. He believes Buckley's forward-jumping style plays into Brady's reactive takedowns. He predicts a decision win, possibly 30-27.

Angelo picks Buckley because he is younger, more active, and has speed and power. He notes that Usman is aging, hasn't fought in two years, and is on a losing streak. He believes Buckley will stay a step ahead and that the UFC is using Usman to build the next generation.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley by third-round knockout. He believes Usman is past his prime, citing a two-year layoff, bad knees, and a washed performance in the second Edwards fight. He thinks Buckley is in his prime with power and will catch Usman's chin. He notes that a few years ago this would be a different fight, but now it's Buckley's time.

Connor picks Buckley, emphasizing that Usman's striking is built on posturing and a steady rhythm, and that Buckley's relentless pressure and power will disrupt that. He notes that Usman has never faced a high-volume power striker and that Buckley's wrestling scrambles and durability will be key. Connor also points out that Usman's age and knee issues make him vulnerable to being overwhelmed, though he acknowledges Usman could still catch Buckley with clean shots or force him into bad wrestling exchanges.

Age and bad knees are catching up to Usman at 38. Buckley is younger and better at this moment. He will stop the takedowns, punish Usman on the feet, and find a knockout between three and a half to four rounds.

The Guru picks Joaquin Buckley, noting value on Usman but favoring Buckley's movement, output, and physicality. He predicts Buckley will get ahead early and stay ahead, finishing Usman by TKO in the fourth round. He cites Usman's long layoff, knee issues, and inability to physically dominate Buckley as key factors.

Angelo picks Buckley because it is a 'what have you done for me lately' sport and Covington looked like a shell of himself in his last fight. He notes Buckley's power, movement, and doggedness, while Covington's pressure and wrestling were absent. He believes if the old Covington shows up he wins, but the recent version gets smoked. He is not sure if he will bet on it.

Big Brady picks Colby Covington to win by decision, going against the grain. He thinks the line is too wide and that Covington can take Buckley down easily, especially as the fight goes on. He notes Buckley has never been past three rounds and has struggled against wrestlers like Abdul Razak Alhassan. He acknowledges Covington's last performance was terrible but attributes it to a broken foot.

Cody picks Colby Covington as a live underdog, citing his elite wrestling, cardio, durability, and experience against top competition. He believes Buckley's path to victory relies on a knockout or takedowns, but Covington's takedown defense and pressure will neutralize that. Cody also notes Covington's motivation in a potential retirement fight and the hometown crowd advantage in Florida.

Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Covington's confidence is shattered and his style requires constant pressure, which he no longer provides. He notes that Buckley is a powerful puncher who will keep coming forward, and that Covington's wrestling is ineffective off the back foot. Connor sees a high chance of a finish.

Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley to win, citing Buckley's paid dues, knockout power, takedown defense, and get-up game. He notes Buckley's wins over Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque as proof he's ready for this step up. Vreeland is not concerned about Buckley's cardio, believing the move to welterweight has improved his conditioning. He acknowledges Colby Covington's relentless pace and takedown attempts but thinks Buckley's athleticism and power will be the difference. Vreeland mentions the odds (-265) are a bit steep for a bet but stands by the pick.

Lucrative James picks Joaquin Buckley to win, citing Buckley's momentum, athleticism, and power versus Colby Covington's decline due to age, inactivity, and poor striking defense. He notes Buckley's recent knockouts over Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque, and emphasizes that Covington has been rocked in past fights and is no longer the same fighter. He believes Buckley's volume and dynamic striking will overwhelm Covington, likely leading to a knockout.

Covington is tough to predict at this stage, especially after his flat performance against Leon Edwards. Buckley is expected to showcase some of those issues, but it's hard to have confidence in Buckley at chalk odds. If Covington shows up at 70% of his former self, he could overwhelm Buckley. The official prediction is Buckley by knockout, but Covington could be the value spot odds-wise.

Paul also picks Colby Covington, agreeing with Cody's assessment. He highlights Covington's durability, pressure, and ability to push a pace that Buckley hasn't faced in five rounds. Paul mentions he took late Colby finish props at long odds, seeing a path where Covington weathers early storms and takes over in championship rounds.

The MMA Guru picks Joaquin Buckley, despite being a Colby Covington fan. He cites Buckley's physicality, lateral movement, and body work as key advantages. He notes that Covington is 36, coming off a long layoff, and took the fight on short notice. He believes Buckley's takedown defense and cardio are underrated, and predicts a body shot TKO in round two. He also mentions that Covington's linear style struggles against fighters who move laterally.

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley, citing his speed, power, and improved wrestling. He notes Stephen Thompson is 41 and has historically struggled against wrestlers. He believes Buckley will use blast doubles to take Thompson down and grind out a win, though he acknowledges Thompson could catch him with a counter. He also mentions Buckley's recent controversial behavior but thinks this is his opportunity to win back fans.

Big Brady picks Stephen Thompson as an underdog, arguing that Buckley's wrestling is not on the level of the few fighters who have successfully taken Thompson down (Shavkat, Burns, Belal). He believes Thompson will out-strike Buckley, similar to his performances against Kevin Holland, Geoff Neal, and Vicente Luque, and win a decision.

Cody picks Buckley, emphasizing his wrestling and power. He notes that Thompson's speed declines with age and that Buckley can mix takedowns with striking. He believes Buckley can either grind out a decision or land a knockout.

Connor argues that Buckley's wrestling is the key to victory. He notes that Thompson has lost his ancillary MMA skills and relies solely on his karate, which is automatic but not enough to stop Buckley's takedowns and top control. Buckley has shown effective wrestling in recent wins, and Thompson's lack of recent finishes and durability issues make Buckley the clear pick.

Daniel Vreeland is confident in Joaquin Buckley, having bet on him. He believes Buckley's improved footwork and timing of blast double legs will be key to taking down Stephen Thompson. Vreeland notes that Thompson has shown vulnerability to wrestling, as seen in the Shavkat Rakhmonov fight where he didn't fight hands. He expects Buckley to ground and pound for a TKO or submission.

The host notes the blueprint to beat Wonderboy at this stage is to grapple him and keep him on his back. He expects Buckley to get the fight to the ground promptly and use his top-heavy approach to grind out a win on the scorecards, referencing Buckley's recent performance against taller opponents.

Paul picks Buckley, citing his recent wrestling improvements against Nurlan Akhmetov. He thinks Buckley must use takedowns to avoid a kickboxing match with Thompson. He expects a decision win for Buckley.

The MMA Guru picks Joaquin Buckley to beat Stephen Thompson, citing Buckley's takedown threat and lateral movement. He notes Thompson is a linear striker who struggles against fighters who move side to side, and Buckley's crashing style will negate Thompson's range. He predicts a second-round TKO, as Buckley will find takedowns and ground-and-pound. He also mentions Thompson's age (41) and potential retirement.

Angelo picks Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his wrestling and grappling ability, as well as his power in his hands. He notes Ruziboev is a much larger fighter and a capable striker, but worries he might abandon his grappling for striking. He acknowledges Joaquin Buckley's speed, power, and improved movement, but believes Ruziboev's wrestling could be the difference.

Big Brady picks Nursulton Ruziboev to knock out Joaquin Buckley in the first round, calling it a shot in the dark. He notes that Buckley has been knocked out multiple times (by Holland, Curtis, etc.) and Ruziboev has a ton of power. However, he admits he still doesn't know much about Ruziboev, who has over 40 fights but mostly first-round finishes. He thinks Ruziboev's power might be the difference, and if he beats Buckley, he will gain hype.

Cody picks Buckley, noting that Ruziboev has a poor record at 170 lbs (7 of 8 losses at that weight) and tends to gas after the first round. He highlights Buckley's speed, cardio advantage, and ability to explode with big shots. Cody believes Buckley can survive an early onslaught and take over in later rounds, especially with the crowd behind him in St. Louis. He also notes that Ruziboev's takedown defense is suspect and Buckley could mix in wrestling.

Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley, noting that Buckley has experience against larger opponents and that Ruziboev's ceiling is likely top 30. He believes Buckley can extend the fight and find his range, and that Ruziboev struggles when he doesn't get an early finish. He also mentions the risk of a letdown spot for Buckley after a big win.

The host picks Buckley to win by knockout in rounds 2 or 3, citing his experience and fight IQ against a less tested opponent. He expects Buckley to mix in grappling and wear down Ruziboev before landing a big shot. He notes Ruziboev's size and reach but questions his weight cut and competition level. The pick is confident for the finish, though he acknowledges unknowns about Ruziboev.

Paul leans towards Ruziboev but is hesitant, citing his size and power advantage. He notes that Ruziboev has a 10-fight winning streak with all finishes in the first round, but his record at 170 is poor. Paul worries about the weight cut and cardio, as Ruziboev has not gone past the first round in years. He suggests waiting for weigh-ins to see how Ruziboev looks at 170. Paul acknowledges Buckley's improvements but thinks Ruziboev could be a 'merer' if he lands early.

Angelo picks Vicente Luque despite admitting he has been a Luque hater. He notes Luque's impressive wrestling against RDA and his overall skills. He acknowledges Joaquin Buckley is dangerous and funny but thinks Luque's mix of striking and wrestling will give him the edge.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley to win by second-round knockout. He believes prime Luque would destroy Buckley, but Luque has taken significant damage, suffered a brain bleed, and admitted to being scared to get hit in his last fight. Brady thinks Luque's durability is compromised and Buckley's power will finish him.

Cody likes Luque's volume and pace, believing he can outwork Buckley who tends to fade. He notes Luque's wrestling as a new wrinkle but thinks the path to victory is through pressure and output. He acknowledges the risk of Buckley's power but sees Luque as the better fighter at even money.

Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley at +124, continuing his fade of Vicente Luque. He cites Luque's history of taking massive damage, the brain bleed, and his struggles against southpaws. He believes Buckley's footwork, speed, and southpaw stance will frustrate Luque, and that Luque's chin may be compromised. He acknowledges Luque's power but thinks Buckley can avoid the left hook and win a decision or late finish.

Luque is more skilled and talented than Buckley, with a nasty leg kick that can sap Buckley's power. He may mix in grappling to nullify Buckley's speed and power advantage. Luque's veteran experience and ability to pressure in later rounds should be decisive. Buckley is a power puncher but Luque can implement leg kicks and potentially finish inside two rounds. The minus 115 line is a steal for a fighter of Luque's caliber.

Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting Luque's wrestling from the RDA fight and his overall well-rounded game. He thinks Luque can take Buckley down and remove his explosive striking, making him a solid play at even money.

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley because he is the much better striker with more power, speed, and technique. He notes that Alex Morono is well-rounded and underrated but has low takedown accuracy (20%), so he cannot trust him to wrestle. Buckley has decent takedown defense and has faced good wrestlers. Angelo plans to avoid betting on this fight.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley, emphasizing Buckley's significant power advantage over Alex Morono. He notes that Morono is more of a decision fighter and has been hurt more often recently. He expects the fight to stay standing and that Buckley will eventually land a big shot, predicting a third-round knockout.

Cody picks Buckley, citing his speed, athleticism, and ability to land the more impactful strikes. He notes that Morono has taken a lot of damage recently and may be hesitant. Buckley's takedowns and movement should allow him to win rounds, though Cody acknowledges Buckley's history of getting knocked out.

Daniel Levi picks Joaquin Buckley, citing his superior speed, athleticism, and hand speed. He notes that both fighters have suspect chins but Buckley is the better athlete and is dropping to his proper weight class at 170. He expects Buckley's speed and explosiveness to be the difference, though he acknowledges a chance someone gets knocked out.

Lucrative James picks Buckley by knockout in round two or three. He thinks Morono will be winning early but Buckley will figure out his awkwardness and land heavy shots. He compares it to the Ponzinibbio fight where Morono kept getting caught. He likes over 1.5 rounds as well.

Buckley has the power and agility to catch Morono in pocket exchanges. Morono is durable but leaves openings and has been knocked out before. Buckley should land a big shot and finish him. Morono may win minutes but Buckley's power is the difference. Expect a knockout victory for Buckley.

Paul picks Buckley, expecting a close fight that goes to decision with Buckley landing the more damaging strikes. He notes that both fighters are similar in size, which favors Buckley. Paul mentions that Morono has a questionable chin but hasn't been knocked out recently, so he leans toward Buckley by decision.

Angelo picks Buckley to win because he has wrestling if needed, better defense, and is faster and more athletic. However, he is wary of betting at -170 since both fighters have been knocked out recently. He suggests waiting for props, possibly 'does not go the distance' if the line is good.

Big Brady picks André Fialho as the underdog to knock out Joaquin Buckley in the first round. He notes both fighters have power and poor durability, but he likes Fialho's early-round danger. He also mentions Buckley is moving down to welterweight after five years, which could affect his performance. He expects a stand-up war and believes Fialho lands the big shot first.

Cody believes Buckley's power and athleticism will be too much for Fialho, who has questionable durability and cardio. He expects Buckley to knock Fialho out, possibly early. He notes Buckley's move to welterweight is a positive and that Fialho's striking defense is lacking.

Connor also picks Buckley, echoing Zane's reasoning. He highlights that Fialho's indecision and poor chin are major liabilities, and that Buckley's creative striking will cause problems. He notes that Fialho has moments of being a good fighter but is inconsistent, and that Buckley's ability to mix up his attacks will keep Fialho guessing. He also expresses doubt about Buckley's move to welterweight but thinks Fialho is not the fighter to exploit it.

Daniel Levi picks Joaquin Buckley but notes he missed the better line. He believes Buckley is faster, has better volume, and that 170 lbs is the right weight class for him. He worries about Buckley's tendency to engage in pocket exchanges, where Fialho's power could be dangerous, but thinks if Buckley fights smart on the outside, he can out-volume Fialho. He calls it a 'pure pick' and says he's not interested in betting at -225.

The host picks Joaquin Buckley, expecting a knockout as Fialho fades in later rounds. He notes Buckley's technical boxing and high guard should allow him to crash the pocket and land cleaner punches. He likes the fight doesn't go to decision prop and predicts a round three TKO.

Paul agrees, noting that Buckley's move to welterweight is beneficial and that Fialho's durability is a concern. He mentions that Buckley can be methodical and that the fight could end early. He also likes the under on significant strikes for Buckley.

The MMA Guru sides with Joaquin Buckley, despite praising Fialho's activity. He worries about Fialho's chin and notes he took damage in recent fights without enough time to improve. He believes Buckley is more elusive and has a better chin, and that Fialho lacks one-shot KO power. He expects Buckley to win, possibly by KO, but acknowledges it could go either way if there's a finish.

Angelo picks Buckley but is hesitant, noting that Curtis has only fought grapplers in the UFC and knocked them out, while Buckley has fought strikers with mixed success. He acknowledges Curtis's short-notice loss to Hermansson may be excusable. He plans to wait for prop bets rather than betting the moneyline, comparing the matchup to Wonderboy vs Holland where a striker's true level was revealed.

Big Brady picks Chris Curtis as a dog, citing Curtis's superior durability and volume. He notes Buckley has been knocked out three times and knocked down often, while Curtis has only been knocked out once in 38 fights. He expects Curtis to find Buckley's chin and knock him out in the second round.

Cody picks Chris Curtis, citing his takedown defense (100% in UFC), striking output, and experience. He notes Buckley's low volume and cardio issues, and that Curtis will double his output. He thinks Curtis' jab and right hand will be key, and that Buckley's power is a threat but Curtis can weather it. He expects a decision win for Curtis.

Daniel Levi picks Joaquin Buckley, citing his more varied path to victory. He criticizes Chris Curtis's poor attitude and limited offense outside the pocket. Levi believes Buckley should use movement, kicks, and feints to stay on the outside, and can mix in takedowns to exploit Curtis's historically weak bottom game. He thinks Curtis's only chance is a pocket boxing match, while Buckley can win by striking at range, takedowns, or even a knockout. Levi sees Buckley as the more explosive and versatile fighter.

Lock picks Buckley to get his hand raised, but he wants nothing to do with the fight from a betting or PredictionStrike perspective. He thinks neither guy has a huge ceiling in the UFC, and Buckley's skill set is limited. He notes that Buckley is closer to Curtis in size compared to Curtis's previous fight against Jack Hermansson, but still sees Buckley as a guy who will trade wins and losses without breaking into the top 10.

Paul picks Chris Curtis, noting the plus money and that Curtis should be able to pick Buckley apart at range. He thinks Buckley's power is dangerous but Curtis has the boxing and experience. He is confident in Curtis as a dog.

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley as a lean because he believes Buckley is faster, more powerful, and more dangerous in a kickboxing match. He notes Imavov doesn't use takedowns much, so it becomes a striking fight. He suggests betting under on rounds or fight doesn't go the distance, and recommends a win inside distance decision no action prop for Buckley.

Big Brady picks Nassourdine Imavov to win by knockout in the second round. He believes Imavov is the better striker and more durable, while Buckley gets hurt often and has been knocked out multiple times. He expects Buckley to have moments, but Imavov will eventually land a big shot and finish him.

Cody leans toward Nassourdine Imavov but is not confident. He notes that Imavov has looked better recently, but his takedown defense and cardio are questionable. Buckley is physically strong and has power, but he is inconsistent and has poor cardio. Cody thinks the fight could go either way and prefers the 'fight goes to decision' prop at +155.

Daniel Levi leans toward Nassourdine Imavov but thinks the -275 price is too steep. He acknowledges Buckley's improvements and power, but believes Imavov is the better fighter with reach and straight punches. He does not bet.

The host likes Imavov's recent improvements, especially his takedown defense and range striking. He believes Imavov will keep the fight at distance, use his kicks, and avoid Buckley's power. He expects Imavov to win by decision, though he notes the -255 price is a bit steep. He also considers the over 1.5 rounds if the line is favorable.

Paul also leans toward Imavov but is hesitant. He agrees with Cody that the line is scary and that Buckley has a puncher's chance. Paul mentions that Imavov is fighting in France, which could be an advantage, but he is not confident enough to bet the moneyline.

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.

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley but notes Alhassan's power and counter-striking. He thinks Buckley needs to pick up the pace and cut angles, which he doesn't normally do. He expects the fight to go longer than expected and plans to bet the over 1.5 rounds if available.

Big Brady picks Abdul Razak Alhassan as a dog, expecting a first round knockout. He notes Alhassan has a better chin and is one of the hardest hitters in the division, while Buckley has been knocked out three times and is hittable. He acknowledges Alhassan's only path to victory is a first round finish, but believes he will land early.

Cody picks Alhassan as an underdog, despite his gut telling him Buckley should win. He is concerned about Buckley's tendency to start slow and be hesitant, as seen in fights against de Trigo and Arroyo. Cody notes that Alhassan has monstrous power and a better chin, and that Buckley's cardio is questionable. He believes Alhassan can clip Buckley if the fight stays standing, and since Buckley won't wrestle, it's a dangerous matchup for him.

Levi picks Razak as a dog, but is hesitant because Buckley has more paths to victory and has made positive changes (quit his job, trained at Xtreme Couture). However, he notes Razak's power and that Buckley has been knocked out before, especially by a right high kick which is Razak's specialty. Levi acknowledges the longer the fight goes, the worse for Razak, but still picks him to catch Buckley early.

Despite the expectation of a knockout, this fight could become a 15-minute kickboxing match. Alhassan is durable and most of his losses are by decision. Buckley's forward pressure and volume could earn him a decision if he avoids getting knocked out. The fight goes to decision at +240 is a contrarian play, with Buckley by decision at +550 as a sprinkle.

Paul picks Alhassan, agreeing with Cody. He likes the under on 1.5 rounds at -115, expecting a finish. Paul notes that both fighters have power and poor cardio, but Alhassan has a better chin and more one-punch knockout power. He thinks Alhassan can get the job done early, and if it goes past the first round, Alhassan still has a chance due to Buckley's tendency to fade.

Angelo picks Joaquin Buckley confidently. He likes Buckley's power and pressure against the taller, taekwondo-based Arroyo. He thinks Buckley will work the body and land big shots, and that Arroyo's bouncy style won't keep Buckley at range. He considers a bet on Buckley inside the distance.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley, citing Antônio Arroyo's terrible cardio and takedown defense. He notes Arroyo is good for only about three minutes before gassing, and Buckley can survive the first round and take over. He predicts a second-round knockout after Arroyo gasses.

Cody picks Buckley, noting his power and that Arroyo has poor cardio and was exhausted in his last fight. He believes Buckley's takedown defense will hold up and that Arroyo is not a threat on the feet. Cody acknowledges Buckley's questionable chin but thinks Arroyo lacks the power to exploit it.

Daniel Levi picks Antônio Arroyo for the upset. He argues that Buckley is a solid brawler but not worth laying -200 on. He says Arroyo's first two UFC fights were against a jiu-jitsu ace (Andre Muniz) and a credentialed wrestler (Daron Winn), so he shouldn't be judged harshly. He thinks Arroyo's gas tank won't be as big an issue here because the fight will be more striking-based, and Arroyo's length and kicks pose problems for the shorter Buckley. He calls it a closer fight than the line indicates.

Preet picks Buckley because he believes Buckley's pressure and power will overwhelm Arroyo, who has a poor gas tank and questionable chin. He expects Buckley to find a knockout later in the fight and likes Buckley by KO at +100 and round 3 at +850.

Paul leans toward Buckley but is wary of his durability issues. He notes that Arroyo hasn't shown much and that Buckley has power. Paul is not betting this fight due to concerns about Buckley's chin.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley to win by decision, but is hesitant about the -270 line. He thinks Buckley will throw more output but doesn't expect a knockout because Di Chirico has never been knocked out. He notes that Di Chirico makes fights boring and is tough. He warns that Buckley has been knocked out before and that Di Chirico has sneaky power. He advises treading lightly on the line.

Daniel Levi picks Joaquin Buckley confidently, calling this a setup fight for Di Chirico's likely exit. He notes Buckley's momentum, improved footwork, and higher output, while Di Chirico is slow, hesitant, and doesn't throw enough. He acknowledges Di Chirico's sharp counters but believes Buckley's aggression and volume will prevail.

Buckley is the younger, more explosive fighter who will set the pace and move forward. Di Chirico has never been knocked out, but he has low output and lost a striking battle to Zach Cummings. Buckley's power and pressure should overwhelm Di Chirico, but a decision is more likely than a finish given Di Chirico's durability. The line is chalky, but Buckley is a solid parlay piece. The hype around Buckley is real, but he may not get the highlight-reel KO the UFC wants.

Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley to win by first-round knockout. He notes Buckley has better experience and competition, while Wright's early wins were against low-level opponents. He thinks Buckley's pressure and the small cage will be key, and Wright doesn't like being hit.

Daniel picks Buckley, citing his aggressive pressure and power. He notes the '50k curse' but believes Buckley's forward pressure will break Wright's karate style. He also mentions Buckley's wrestling and durability, though he expects a tougher fight than some anticipate.

The host picks Jordan Wright to win by first or second round KO, despite acknowledging it's a surprising pick. He thinks the line on Buckley is skewed by his viral knockout, and that Wright has a size advantage and better game plan. He recommends against parlaying Buckley.

Big Brady picks Kasanganay, impressed by his composure and power despite limited experience. He notes Buckley slows down and has been knocked out twice, and that Kasanganay has a cardio advantage. He predicts a third round knockout, though he acknowledges Buckley is dangerous early. He considers the line a bit wide but likes Kasanganay.

Daniel is very high on Impa Kasanganay, calling him a future top-15 fighter. He praises Kasanganay's physical tools, fight IQ, and rapid improvement. He contrasts that with Joaquin Buckley, whom he calls a 'club fighter' with no plan B if his big bombs don't work. Daniel believes Kasanganay can win standing, in the clinch, or on the ground, and that this is a step down in competition.

Kasanganay is a more efficient and methodical striker with excellent lead hand work and range management. Buckley relies on power and blitzes but fades late. Kasanganay will use his length, counter-striking, and potential grappling to win a decision.

Big Brady picks Holland despite the high price, citing his length, reach, and athleticism. He notes Buckley's power but believes Holland's chin and ground game (if used) will be decisive. He predicts a third-round knockout for Holland.

Daniel Levi picks Kevin Holland to win, stating that Holland is more skilled across the board, with better jiu-jitsu, length, and experience. He notes that Joaquin Buckley looks intimidating but is slower and not as skilled at the UFC level. Levi believes Holland can win however he wants as long as he doesn't get caught with a big shot.