Brandon Moreno

Angelo hesitantly picks Brandon Moreno, acknowledging that Lone'er Kavanagh is fast and accurate and could give Moreno trouble early. He notes Moreno's five-round experience and toughness as key advantages, expecting him to outlast Kavanagh who may fade. He admits if it were a three-round fight with a full camp, he would pick Kavanagh.

Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno, citing his hometown advantage, experience as a former champion, and step down in competition. He notes Kavanagh looked good in the first round against Charles Johnson but faded and got knocked out. Brady believes Moreno's cardio, pressure, and minute-winning ability will lead to a decision win, possibly a late finish if Kavanagh slows down.

Cody points out Moreno's recent stylistic changes, lack of wrestling, and potential decline. He highlights Kavanagh's speed and power, and the danger of an early knockout. Despite these concerns, he picks Moreno due to the difficulty of betting against him, but strongly advises live betting or hedging.

Connor agrees with Zane that Moreno should win, but he is slightly less confident due to Moreno's recent inconsistent performances. He notes that Moreno sometimes makes weird mistakes and that Kavanagh is a dangerous counterpuncher with speed and accuracy. However, Connor ultimately believes Moreno's experience and ability to pressure will be too much for Kavanagh, especially given Kavanagh's stamina concerns.

Daniel picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing his well-rounded skills and fight IQ. He notes Moreno's takedown advantage against Royval's poor takedown defense, but acknowledges Royval's danger on the feet with unorthodox strikes. He expects Moreno to exploit takedown defense and control the fight on the ground, though he warns that Moreno has been dropped in recent fights.

The host is betting on Moreno despite his decline, because the circumstances heavily favor him. Moreno has experience fighting in Mexico City, excellent cardio, and has never been knocked out. Kavanagh is inexperienced (10 pro fights), a volume striker with no knockout power, and is fighting on short notice at high altitude. The host believes Kavanagh would need to finish Moreno or win a clear decision, both unlikely. He plans to parlay Moreno with Zellhuber.

James believes Kavanagh is one of the best flyweights despite his loss to Charles Johnson, citing his speed, footwork, and counter-striking. He questions Moreno's consistency and recent performance, noting Moreno's age and potential decline. James sees value in Kavanagh at +210 odds, predicting Moreno may not push the pace needed to exploit Kavanagh's cardio concerns.

The host picks Brandon Moreno inside the distance, expecting a round 4 or 5 finish. He notes Moreno's experience, cardio, and durability, and believes Kavanagh will fade in the later rounds due to altitude and short notice. He is surprised the line moved to -225 and considers it a great value. He predicts a late TKO or submission.

Paul acknowledges Moreno's experience and cardio advantage, especially at altitude. He notes Moreno's wrestling and submission game are superior, and expects Moreno to take over in later rounds. He is puzzled by the money coming in on Kavanagh and recommends Moreno as a parlay piece, but suggests live betting for better value.

The MMA Guru picks Brandon Moreno, noting that Lone'er Kavanagh has a cardio issue and gasses after about 7 minutes. He argues that Moreno is hard to finish early and that Kavanagh's only path to victory is a first-round TKO, which is unlikely at Mexico City altitude. He predicts a late-rounds TKO for Moreno, possibly in rounds 4 or 5.

Angelo picks Brandon Moreno, citing his experience, well-rounded skills, and relentless pace. He believes Moreno's striking will be a problem for Taira and that Taira's takedowns are not good enough to keep Moreno down. He notes that Alex Perez outstruck Taira before his knee injury. Angelo is surprised that Moreno is an underdog and considers betting if the odds become favorable.

Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his elite grappling and control, and believes he will take Moreno down and win rounds. He acknowledges Moreno's striking advantage but expects Taira's takedowns to be decisive. He predicts Taira wins by decision.

Cody picks Moreno, highlighting his experience, durability, and scrambling ability. He notes that Moreno has never been finished as a pro and has fought the best in the division. He believes Taira is not a refined product and relies on getting the back, which Moreno's scrambling will neutralize. He expects Moreno to outwork Taira and win by decision.

Connor picks Moreno, citing his experience and technical edge. He notes that Taira struggles to set up takedowns and relies on opponents overextending, while Moreno has strong wrestling defense and can hit his own takedowns. Connor acknowledges that Moreno sometimes fights stupidly, but even then he has a good chance. He believes Moreno's methodical pressure and straight punches will be effective against Taira's limited striking arsenal.

Daniel picks Taira, impressed by his back-taking ability and heart shown in the Royval fight. He believes Taira's grappling is elite and that Moreno may struggle with it, similar to how Pantoja took Moreno's back. He sees Taira's standup improving and thinks he can win a competitive fight, possibly by controlling rounds with back takes.

Lucrative James favors Moreno on the feet and believes his takedown defense is better than Brandon Royval's, which will help him avoid Taira's grappling. He notes Moreno's preparation with Mikey Musumeci and thinks Moreno's experience in five-round fights gives him an edge in a three-round contest. He expects a close split decision but picks Moreno to edge it.

The host believes Taira will continue his winning ways by putting Moreno in bad positions. He notes that Moreno is not as good a scrambler as Brandon Royval, which will keep him in bad positions for at least two rounds, allowing Taira to win on the scorecards.

Paul agrees with Cody, citing Moreno's advantages in striking, experience, durability, and cardio. He notes that Taira's only top-tier fight was against Brandon Royval, where he lost and was outstruck. He believes Moreno's leg kicks and scrambling will be key, and he picks Moreno by decision.

The Guru picks Tatsuro Taira over Brandon Moreno, citing Taira's back-taking ability and Moreno's recent decline. He notes Taira's grappling and range striking will be effective in a three-round fight. The Guru predicts a 29-28 decision win for Taira.

Connor argues that Steve Erceg has been rushed into tough fights, facing Pantoja, Kai Kara-France, and now Moreno without proper development. He highlights Erceg's defensive boxing flaws, particularly his lack of head movement and tendency to overcommit. Connor believes Moreno's experience and technical superiority will exploit these weaknesses, leading to a Moreno win.

James picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing Moreno's vast experience advantage (over 30 fights vs 15 for Erceg), superior durability, better cardio, and higher fight IQ. He notes Erceg has been knocked out recently and has shown poor decision-making in late rounds, as seen against Pantoja. James acknowledges the elevation factor but believes Moreno's gas tank is more reliable, especially late. He predicts a late stoppage or more likely a decision win for Moreno, and mentions that if there's value, it lies with Erceg as an underdog.

Angelo picks Amir Albazi to pull off the upset, citing Moreno's recent flat performances and loss of aura. He thinks Albazi can time takedowns and sneak out a win if Moreno looks flat-footed again. He wishes Albazi were more active with pressure and volume, like Brandon Royval. He notes the year layoff for Albazi and uncertainty about Moreno's form, so he will avoid betting on this fight.

Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno to win by decision. He questions Albazi's resume, noting his best win is a controversial decision over Kai Kara-France. Brady thinks Moreno's scrambling will neutralize Albazi's takedowns, and on the feet, Moreno is the better striker with better volume and cardio. He also cites Moreno's activity and experience in five-round fights.

Cody picks Brandon Moreno, citing his wrestling advantage over Albazi, who has only 33% takedown accuracy and 40% takedown defense. He notes Moreno's volume striking and five-round experience, but acknowledges the risk of Moreno being unmotivated after his partial retirement. He believes Moreno's reinvigorated version will win a decision.

Daniel Vreeland picks Amir Albazi to upset Brandon Moreno. He believes Moreno is at a crossroads after losing the belt twice and showing signs of decline, while Albazi is in his prime and has improved significantly since his neck surgery. Vreeland notes that Albazi is a plus-150 underdog and expects a close, competitive fight where he favors the younger, hungrier fighter. He also mentions that betting against Moreno at dog odds has historically worked for him.

Lucrative James picks Amir Albazi to win by decision, citing Moreno's decline in recent fights and Albazi's control time advantage. He notes Moreno looked washed against Pantoja and Royval, while Albazi is undefeated in the UFC and has strong grappling. He believes Albazi's trajectory is higher and that Moreno's best days are behind him.

Moreno looked un-Moreno-like in his last performance, but the layoff will do wonders. He has good defensive work against wrestlers, which will allow him to keep the fight standing where he has the striking and cardio advantage, battering Albazi in three or four of the five rounds and winning on the scorecards.

Paul agrees with Cody, pointing out that Albazi's takedown defense is a red flag after being taken down twice by Kai Kara-France. He emphasizes Moreno's superior competition and durability, and believes Moreno's volume and wrestling will lead to a decision win. He also notes that Moreno's chin has held up and he's fought the best in the division.

Angelo is very confident in Moreno, citing his pace, toughness, and improvement since their last fight. He believes Moreno is better everywhere and will eventually break Royval, likely in the fourth or fifth round. He notes Moreno already won this fight once and will do it again at home.

Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno to win by decision. He notes that Moreno has never been finished in 30 fights, which is crucial against a finisher like Royval. He believes Moreno has more paths to win, especially by taking the fight to the mat where Royval has poor takedown defense (40%). He thinks Moreno can control Royval on the ground and potentially submit him, but leans toward a decision. He questions Royval's ability to win a decision or finish Moreno.

Cody picks Moreno, citing Moreno's cast-iron chin, takedown ability, and the fact that Royval is coming in on short notice after a five-round war with Pantoja eight weeks ago. He notes Royval's takedown defense is a serious problem and that Moreno already beat him once. He acknowledges the line is justifiable and is not playing contrarian.

The host expects Moreno to replicate his first fight strategy by using his wrestling advantage to control Royval on the ground. He notes Moreno's good submission defense against Royval's aggressive style. Even if the fight stays standing, Moreno is the more technical striker. He predicts Moreno will grind out a decision victory.

Angelo picks Moreno but disagrees with the 2-to-1 odds, thinking Pantoja has a clear striking advantage. He notes Moreno's pace, wrestling improvements, and takedowns as key factors. Pantoja is durable and a good grappler, but has been beaten by wrestlers. He expects a dogfight and advises against parlaying Moreno.

Big Brady picks Alexandre Pantoja to win a close decision. He notes that Pantoja is 2-0 against Moreno, but those fights were years ago. He believes Pantoja is the better striker with more power and better grappling, and he expects Pantoja to win the early rounds. However, he is concerned about Pantoja's cardio in a five-round fight, as Moreno has proven he can go 25 minutes. He thinks Pantoja wins rounds 1-3 and loses 4-5, making it a split decision. He says the line makes no sense and that Pantoja is live.

Cody picks Pantoja as an underdog, noting he has beaten Moreno twice before. He believes Pantoja's superior ground game and power shots can be effective early, while Moreno is hittable and gets rocked. He thinks Pantoja's takedown defense is poor but his submission threat is real. He prefers a live bet on Moreno later if he survives early rounds.

Connor picks Moreno but with hesitation, noting that Pantoja has won twice before and is a dangerous mauler. He acknowledges Moreno's development, especially his jab, but worries about Moreno's tendency to get into scrappy fights. Connor thinks Moreno's best path is to use his reach and avoid grappling exchanges, but he's not fully confident given Pantoja's proven ability.

Daniel Levi picks Pantoja, primarily because he values the plus-170 odds as a betting opportunity against any flyweight. He acknowledges that Moreno has improved his composure and had big moments in recent fights, but believes Pantoja's jiu-jitsu is the nastiest in the division and that he has never been finished. Levi notes that Pantoja has beaten Moreno twice before (submission and 30-26 decision), though those fights were years ago. He expresses concern about Pantoja's potential to fade in championship rounds due to his aggressive style, but is willing to take that risk at the underdog price.

James picks Pantoja at plus money, disagreeing with Moreno being a -200 favorite. He argues that skill-for-skill Pantoja is the favorite, and the perceived cardio disadvantage is overblown. He notes Pantoja has beaten Moreno twice, including a submission, and has pushed a hard pace in striking fights like against Figueiredo. He thinks the line is too wide and Pantoja has value.

Moreno has improved boxing, footwork, and cardio, which will be key in a five-round fight. Pantoja is dangerous early with power and BJJ, but fades late. Moreno will survive the early onslaught and overwhelm Pantoja in deep waters, likely getting a finish. Fight doesn't go to decision is the best prop.

Paul leans toward Moreno but is not confident at -190. He notes Moreno's experience in five-round fights and better cardio, while Pantoja has never gone five rounds. He thinks Moreno's volume and leg kicks will pay off in later rounds. He suggests waiting to bet Moreno live after the first round or two for a better price.

The MMA Guru picks Alexandre Pantoja to win by submission (rear-naked choke) late in the first round. He believes Pantoja's forward pressure and grappling will force Moreno to be hesitant and defensive. He notes that Moreno builds into fights and may be afraid of Pantoja's submission threat. He cites Pantoja's striking improvements and ability to take the back.

Big Brady switches to Moreno after picking Figueiredo in the previous three fights. He cites Figueiredo's age (35), brutal weight cuts, and not training at Fight Ready as concerns. Moreno is younger, has better cardio, and has never been finished. He notes Moreno was winning minutes in the third fight before Figueiredo's knockdowns. He needs to see Figueiredo's weigh-in to decide on betting, but leans Moreno by decision.

Cody is confident in Brandon Moreno, citing Moreno's better wrestling, cardio, and ability to mix striking and grappling. He notes Figueiredo is older, has a tough weight cut, moved away from a great training camp, and has a year-long layoff. He believes Moreno's pace and pressure will be too much, and Figueiredo's best chance is counter-punching early. He also mentions Moreno's resilience and Mexican grit.

Connor picks Figueiredo, calling it a 'sadness hedge'—expecting the worst so it doesn't crush him. He thinks Figueiredo will find ways to sneak out rounds in a five-round fight, as he has done before. Connor notes Figueiredo's ability to land hard low kicks and his natural counter-punching, but acknowledges Moreno's dominance in the second fight and the uncertainty.

Paul leans towards Brandon Moreno but is cautious, noting he made a rule to bet the underdog in this series. He is very curious about Figueiredo's weight cut and age (35), and thinks speed and cardio are key at flyweight. He says he will wait for weigh-ins before betting, but ever so slightly leans Moreno. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power and toughness but thinks Moreno is the better fighter at this point.

The Guru picks Moreno for the quadrilogy, noting he won most of the minutes in the trilogy. Moreno has better striking, gas tank, and scrambles, while Figueiredo relies on explosive moments. Figueiredo is 35 with a tough weight cut and has been inactive for a year, while Moreno is younger and more active. The Guru predicts a clear decision win for Moreno, 49-46.

Big Brady picks Kai Kara-France to win by decision as a dog. He thinks the line is too wide and favors Kara-France's striking volume, accuracy, and takedown defense. He notes Moreno has been dropped before and Kara-France has power. He expects a close fight that could go either way but leans toward the underdog.

Cody picks Moreno, citing his durability, fantastic cardio, and proven five-round ability. He notes that Kai Kara-France relies on power and early success, but Moreno can take his best shots and keep coming. He expects Moreno's volume, wrestling, and championship-round experience to be key advantages. He also mentions that Moreno has a grappling advantage and that Kai's takedown defense is solid but Moreno can mix in wrestling. He thinks the fight will be competitive early but Moreno will take over.

Daniel leans Moreno because he believes Moreno's Mexican heart and toughness will carry him down the stretch, especially in deep waters. He notes that Moreno already beat Kara-France once via decision and that Kara-France has historically faded when fights get tough. He acknowledges Kara-France's improvements, especially his takedown defense against Askar Askarov, and his one-punch knockout power. However, he questions Moreno's motivation after losing the belt and changing camps. He sees value on Kara-France at +170 but ultimately picks Moreno to become interim champion.

Preet made Moreno his biggest play of the night with five units at -187, believing Moreno is on another level. He argues the first fight was not close after round one, with Moreno beating Kara-France to the punch and flexing on him. He expects Moreno to edge a five-round kickboxing match, with potential grappling success. He dismisses Kara-France's takedown defense improvements as irrelevant.

Paul also picks Moreno, agreeing that it's a bad matchup for Kai Kara-France. He notes that Kai relies on power and early success, but Moreno is incredibly durable with fantastic cardio. He thinks Moreno has an advantage on the mat and that Kai's takedown defense is solid but Moreno can get it there. He mentions that the -210 price is not great but the fight is likely to be competitive and go five rounds. He suggests live betting after the first round if Kai has early success.

Angelo picks Figueiredo based on Instagram photos showing him in shape, suggesting his cardio issues may be resolved. He acknowledges Moreno's heart and pace but believes Figueiredo is the more talented fighter. He plans to watch the weigh-ins closely.

Big Brady picks Figueiredo as a dog, but his pick is conditional on Figueiredo looking good at weigh-ins. He notes that Figueiredo was a huge favorite in the first fight and a -200 favorite in the second, but is now a +145 underdog. He believes the best version of Figueiredo edges a close fight, but the version that showed up in the second fight (only 13 significant strikes in round 1) was due to a bad weight cut. He needs to see Figueiredo on the scales before finalizing, but as of now he takes Figgy to win a back-and-forth war by decision.

Cody picks Brandon Moreno, citing Moreno's durability, improving submission defense, high-level jiu-jitsu, and cardio advantage. He notes that Figueiredo has power and a guillotine but fades in later rounds due to weight cuts, while Moreno gets better as the fight goes on. Cody also mentions that Moreno is only 28 and improving, whereas Figueiredo is 34 and may be declining. He previously bet Moreno by decision but now thinks Moreno could finish again.

Daniel Levi picks Figueiredo to reclaim the belt. He highlights Figueiredo's camp changes: leaving Brazil, training with Henry Cejudo and Neuroforce One, which he believes will lead to a better performance. Levi notes that Figueiredo was a -200 favorite in the first two fights and is now a +155 underdog, which he sees as value. He acknowledges Moreno's toughness and improved wrestling but thinks Figueiredo on his best day beats anyone in the division. Levi also mentions the pressure on Moreno as the first Mexican champion and that Figueiredo has nothing to lose.

The host believes Figueiredo did not show up in the second fight and that Moreno's win was more due to Figueiredo's poor performance than Moreno's improvement. He notes Figueiredo's camp change to Fight Ready and expects him to return to his aggressive style from the first fight. He thinks the odds should be closer to a pick'em, making Figueiredo at +150 good value. He predicts Figueiredo will win a decision, as Moreno has a cast-iron chin and is tough to finish.

Paul leans towards Figueiredo at plus money, noting that Figueiredo was winning the first fight before a point deduction and that he looked jacked in recent photos. He acknowledges Moreno's durability but thinks Figueiredo's power and guillotine are threats. However, Paul is not fully confident and suggests monitoring the live market rather than placing a pre-fight bet.

Big Brady picks Deiveson Figueiredo, citing his power advantage and the mitigating factors from the first fight (short notice, food poisoning, point deduction). He believes Figueiredo will land the harder shots and win a decision, though a finish is possible. He notes Moreno's toughness but expects Figueiredo to have a full camp this time.

Cody thinks Moreno's durability and cardio will be key, as he took Figueiredo's best shots in the first fight and started to take over in the later rounds. He notes Figueiredo's weight cut issues and tendency to foul, and believes Moreno can win by taking over in rounds 4 and 5 if he splits the early rounds.

Daniel Levi picks Figueiredo to defend the belt, possibly by knockout. He notes Figueiredo's power and well-rounded game, including underrated jiu-jitsu. He acknowledges Moreno's durability but thinks Figueiredo's firepower is different. He is concerned about Figueiredo's weight cuts but believes he is focused and ready.

Figueiredo's pressure, power, and stalking style should be too much for Moreno over five rounds. Moreno had success with his jab and takedowns in the first fight, but Figueiredo's improved cardio and takedown defense will nullify that. Figueiredo likely wins a decision, though a finish is possible with a full camp.

Paul picks Figueiredo but is hesitant due to weight cut concerns and the close nature of the first fight. He thinks Figueiredo landed the better strikes and would have won without the point deduction, but acknowledges Moreno's durability and the possibility of Figueiredo losing a point for a foul. He is not betting this fight.

Big Brady picks Deiveson Figueiredo to win by first-round knockout. He highlights Figueiredo's devastating power for the weight class and believes Moreno's durability will be tested. He notes Moreno has never been finished in his pro career but thinks Figueiredo's power is different. He is not concerned about Figueiredo's weight cut issues and likes him inside the distance.

Daniel believes Figueiredo is in a different class, with superior power and jiu-jitsu. He notes Moreno's solid boxing but thinks Figueiredo's impact, footwork, and shot selection will be too much. He predicts a stoppage in the fourth or fifth round, expecting Moreno to put up a decent fight but ultimately fall.

Figueiredo is the more powerful striker with better counter-punching. Moreno's hands-down style leaves him open to counters, and Figueiredo has the power to finish. Moreno's takedowns are not as effective as Perez's, so Figueiredo should be able to keep it standing and land big shots. Expect a second or third round KO.

Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno to win by decision. He thinks Moreno is the more technical striker and has improved his scrambling and ground game. He notes Royval is hittable and was rocked by Kara-France, but both fighters have never been finished.

Daniel picks Royval as an underdog, citing his impressive performance against Kai Kara-France and his relentless pace. He notes Moreno may be in a letdown spot after beating Formiga. He sees Royval's Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu as advantages, and believes Royval's momentum and volume will carry him.

The host picks Brandon Moreno to win, possibly by second round TKO or submission. He views Moreno as a slightly better version of Royval, with crisper striking and improved jiu-jitsu. He notes the fight is close and recommends the under 2.5 rounds as a bet rather than the moneyline.

Daniel picks Formiga, citing his elite grappling and back control. He thinks Formiga's level is a step up for Moreno and that Formiga will capitalize on grappling exchanges. He predicts a decision win for Formiga.