Marcus McGhee

The host picks Marcus McGhee, noting that McGhee is a good striker with forward pressure and quick hands, and that he has solid grappling which he typically uses defensively but could use offensively here. The host believes McGhee has the style to beat Yannis, especially if he mixes in grappling, though he acknowledges that if it stays on the feet it could be close. The host is confident in McGhee as a big favorite.

AJ picks McGhee, citing his slick southpaw striking, speed, and combination punching. He acknowledges Yannis's power and toughness but believes McGhee's craftiness and stance will neutralize Yannis's leg kicks. AJ expects a competitive fight but McGhee to outpoint Yannis, possibly by decision, though a knockout is possible.

Big Brady picks Marcus McGhee to win by decision. He thinks McGhee is on another level skill-wise and hits harder, but he doesn't love the price tag because McGhee is primarily a striker and Yannis' grappling is poor. He expects McGhee to win but notes the price is wide.

Marcus McGhee is a clear favorite due to his superior striking and experience. He took a round off Peter Yan and has a good jab that will trouble John Yannis. McGhee is expected to find a KO shot, possibly in the first round, as Yannis relies on his hands and lacks other skills.

Marcus McGhee is picked because he has more weapons on the feet and can mix in wrestling. John Yannis has good boxing but overcommits on his left hand, which McGhee can counter with body locks and trips. McGhee's cardio may be an issue, but he should take over after 1.5 rounds and win by decision. The host questions the matchmaking as McGhee is ranked much higher.

McGhee is a borderline top-15 bantamweight who fought competitively with champion Merab Dvalishvili. Yannis is not on that level and took the fight on short notice. McGhee should win by first-round knockout.

Lucrative James picks John Yannis as a significant underdog, arguing the odds are too wide. He believes the fight is close skill-for-skill and that Marcus McGhee's advantages are physical attributes rather than technique. He notes McGhee's age (36) and potential motivation issues after fighting Petr Yan, and sees value on Yannis' moneyline, predicting a decision win.

Angelo picks Petr Yan, citing his phenomenal striking, underrated wrestling, and experience. He notes Marcus McGhee is powerful and well-rounded but had his legs chewed up in his last fight, and Yan has great kicks. He feels Yan's body of work and youth give him the edge, though he calls the fight a potential trap.

Big Brady picks Petr Yan, calling the matchup a huge step down for Yan. He notes Yan has beaten top competition while McGhee's wins are over unranked fighters. He believes Yan's striking and experience will be too much, and predicts a decision win.

Connor acknowledges McGhee's potential if he pressures Yan, but notes McGhee's tentativeness in the Martinez fight and his tendency to start slow. He believes Yan's counter-punching and ability to fight off the back foot will be too much, especially over three rounds. He also highlights Yan's takedown threat as a factor.

Yan has issues in three-round fights due to his slow start, but he should turn the tide around the midpoint of the second round and pull away in deep water. The host would think twice about paying the chalk on Yan because of his slow starting nature.

The MMA Guru picks Petr Yan, noting the five-round fight favors Yan's experience and cardio. He acknowledges Marcus McGhee's skills but believes Yan is a different level, citing Yan's wins over Aldo and others. He predicts Yan loses the first round but wins the second and third, possibly with a 10-8 third round or a finish, resulting in a 29-28 decision.

Angelo picks Marcus McGhee, calling himself a fanboy. He highlights McGhee's power, takedowns, and multiple paths to victory. He notes that Jonathan Martinez is a good fighter but may have been frozen by the moment against Aldo. His only concern is McGhee's gas tank, but he is confident McGhee gets it done.

Big Brady picks Marcus McGhee, highlighting his power, durability, and grappling upside. He notes that Jonathan Martinez is chinny, having been knocked out or dropped in several fights, while McGhee lands harder shots and has more ways to win. He also believes McGhee has the volume advantage and can finish Martinez, predicting a second-round knockout.

Cody picks Marcus McGhee, citing his pressure, power, and wrestling advantage. He notes Martinez is a volume striker who relies on kicks, but McGhee will close the distance and force exchanges in the pocket where his power will be decisive. Cody expects McGhee to win by knockout or decision, possibly in the later rounds.

Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing McGhee's athleticism and counter-combination skills. He notes that McGhee knows exactly what he is building with his pressure and that Martinez's kicking game will be neutralized. Connor also mentions that McGhee is a 'sweet guy' and a gym legend, and that this fight could propel him into the top 15.

Daniel Vreeland picks Jonathan Martinez as an upset, citing his experience, reach advantage, and kicking game. He notes McGhee's lack of tested competition and vulnerability to body kicks. He believes Martinez will use his kicks to slow McGhee and mix in knees. He acknowledges McGhee's power but trusts Martinez's durability and proven track record.

The host notes that people forget Martinez was a favorite against Jose Aldo, and now as an underdog against the hot new prospect McGee, he sees value. He expects Martinez's leg kicks to slow down McGee, allowing Martinez to work his hands in the second and third rounds and win a decision.

Paul picks Marcus McGhee, agreeing with Cody. He notes McGhee's pressure and power will be too much for Martinez, who tends to retreat when faced with power. Paul expects McGhee to win by knockout or decision, and likes McGhee by knockout at plus 225.

The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Martinez, citing his underrated striking and leg kicks. He believes Martinez's investment shots to the legs will be key against McGhee's movement. He trusts Martinez's durability and expects a close decision win.

Angelo picks Marcus McGhee, citing his power, takedowns, and toughness. He advises McGhee to lean on wrestling rather than striking with a Muay Thai world champion. He notes that Gaston Bolaños is a dangerous striker who could catch McGhee, but believes McGhee's clear path to victory is through grappling. He has McGhee in a parlay for premium members.

Big Brady is cautious because McGhee hasn't shown a grappling game, but Bolaños has a major hole in takedown defense and ground game. He thinks if McGhee wrestles, he can submit Bolaños easily. However, if McGhee stands and trades, Bolaños is the better striker. Brady leans toward McGhee getting a submission but admits it's a stay-away fight.

Cody picks McGhee by submission, citing his well-rounded game, grappling advantage, and ability to grind on Bolaños. He notes that Bolaños is a world-class striker but has poor grappling and pacing, and that McGhee will take him down, take his back, and submit him.

Daniel Vreeland leans with Marcus McGhee, citing his well-rounded game and more paths to victory. He notes McGhee's athleticism and power, but worries he might brawl instead of taking the fight to the mat where he has an advantage. Vreeland thinks McGhee can submit Bolaños but will have to work for it.

James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.

Gastón Bolaños is a more technical striker with a kickboxing background, having competed in Glory. He showed good patience and submission defense in his UFC debut against Aaron Phillips. Marcus McGhee is explosive and powerful but tends to overextend and can be countered. Bolaños has trained at American Kickboxing Academy and Team Alpha Male, improving his takedown defense. If he keeps the fight standing, his technical striking should allow him to pick McGhee apart. At plus 225, Bolaños is a solid underdog pick, and I expect him to win by decision.

Paul picks Bolaños as a live underdog, citing his devastating striking and spinning elbows. He acknowledges Bolaños' grappling is a work in progress but believes if he can keep the fight standing, he has a real chance. He took a shot at +255 a few days ago.

Angelo calls McGhee his most confident pick on the card, saying he should be -1000. He highlights McGhee's power, takedown defense, and finishing ability, while Buys has a weak chin and poor defensive wrestling. He plans to hammer the inside the distance prop when it drops.

Big Brady picks Marcus McGhee to win by knockout, likely in the first round. He calls this the biggest mismatch on the card, noting JP Buys's poor durability (knocked down 8 times in 3 UFC fights) and McGhee's power. He acknowledges Buys's wrestling but doubts it will be effective against a bigger McGhee who has improved takedown defense. He predicts a late first-round knockout.

Cody picks McGhee, praising his toughness, power, and training at MMA Lab with Sean O'Malley. He notes Buys' cardio issues and weak chin, and that Buys has been knocked down repeatedly. He thinks McGhee's power and durability will be too much, and that Buys' wrestling advantage is negated by his poor cardio. He predicts McGhee clips him and knocks him out.

James is leaning toward Buys as a +300 underdog, thinking Buys can submit McGhee in the first round. He notes McGhee struggled with takedowns and back takes, and Buys has a good choke game. However, he acknowledges Buys has been destroyed on the feet multiple times. James is considering a bet on Buys' moneyline or a submission prop.

McGhee is explosive and powerful early, with a successful short-notice UFC debut. Buys is on a three-fight losing streak and has a bad gas tank. McGhee's power and speed should be too much for Buys, and he will likely get a knockout in the first round. However, the chalk is too high, so a prop on McGhee by KO in round 1 is better.

Paul picks McGhee, citing size and strength advantages. He notes Buys used to fight at 125 and is moving up, while McGhee is a natural bantamweight. He thinks McGhee's power and takedown defense will be key, and that Buys' cardio issues will be exacerbated by the weight cut. He sees McGhee winning by knockout or decision.

Cody picks Kelleher by decision, noting that Kelleher has underrated wrestling and can control Newson on the ground. He points out that Newson has poor takedown defense against wrestlers and that Kelleher's recent wins have come via wrestling-heavy game plans. He believes Kelleher will fight smart to secure a decision.

Connor also picks Newson hesitantly, citing the short notice and McGhee's potential to gas if he blitzes. He notes Newson's wrestling could be a factor, but McGhee's athletic takedown defense and scrambling are good. Connor thinks the fight could be ugly and low-volume.

Paul picks Kelleher by decision, agreeing with Cody. He notes that Kelleher is on a three-fight losing streak against top competition and this is a must-win. He expects Kelleher to rely on his wrestling and control time to secure a decision. He is surprised the line has moved towards a pick'em and may bet Kelleher.