Amir Albazi

Angelo picks Kyoji Horiguchi, citing his spectacular performance against Tagir Ulanbekov where he dominated in all facets. He notes Horiguchi's footwork, striking, and takedown defense were incredible. He questions whether Horiguchi looked that good because Ulanbekov is overrated or because Horiguchi is that good, but ultimately rides the momentum from that win. He also mentions that despite Horiguchi being older, he may have fewer miles due to fewer surgeries compared to Albazi.

Big Brady picks Kyoji Horiguchi, impressed by his dominant win over Tagir Ulanbekov. He notes that Amir Albazi has fought only once in three years, looked poor against Amil Marino, and likely lost to Kai Kara-France. He believes Horiguchi's striking and takedown defense will be too much, and he wins by decision.

Cody agrees with Paul, emphasizing Albazi's inactivity and poor takedown success. He notes Horiguchi's dynamic striking and improved grappling at American Top Team. Cody believes Horiguchi's volume and damage will be decisive, especially in the Apex, and that Albazi's path to victory via control time is unlikely.

Connor agrees with Zane, calling the matchup 'nonsense' and a waste of Horiguchi. He notes that Albazi is not a contender and has been inactive, while Horiguchi is a star who should be fighting for a title. He picks Horiguchi but warns that if Horiguchi has a flat performance, it will feel like a stupid booking.

Lucrative James picks Kyoji Horiguchi to win by decision. He highlights Horiguchi's striking advantage, experience, and ability to control range, which he believes will be kryptonite for Albazi's grappling-heavy style. James notes that Albazi has been out of action for a long time and looked poor in his last fight against Brandon Moreno, while Horiguchi is on a strong run.

The host picks Horiguchi by knockout, calling him far superior in every aspect. He believes Horiguchi's takedown defense and kicking game will cause Albazi trouble, and that Albazi will be forced to strike where Horiguchi has a clear advantage. He notes Horiguchi's suspect chin is an anomaly and expects him to make it look easy.

Paul picks Kyoji Horiguchi, noting Albazi's long layoff, injury history, and low striking output. He highlights Horiguchi's speed, volume, and well-rounded skills, and doubts Albazi's takedown efficiency (32% success rate). Paul expects Horiguchi to outwork Albazi and win a decision.

The host picks Kyoji Horiguchi over Amir Albazi. He notes Horiguchi is a legend with wins over Manel Kape and Asakura, and has a karate style with power and grappling. He thinks Albazi is overrated due to a robbery win over Kai Kara-France and a poor performance against Moreno. He predicts a 30-27 decision for Horiguchi.

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 has a slight lean to Kara-France due to his takedown defense (86%) and UFC experience. He thinks Albazi is unproven against top competition. However, he acknowledges Kara-France may be overrated and could get overconfident. He is not betting this fight.

Cody agrees with Paul, stating it's hard to back Albazi because he hasn't faced elite competition. He highlights Kara-France's performance against Moreno, where he caused problems early. Cody notes the small cage could help Albazi but believes Kara-France's footwork and speed are clear advantages. He concludes that in a pick 'em fight, Kara-France is the value side.

Connor picks Kai Kara-France, emphasizing that Kara-France is the best counter-puncher Albazi has faced and that Albazi's pressure style may hit its ceiling. He notes that if Kara-France pressures, Albazi's game dissolves, as seen against Torres. Connor also highlights that Kara-France has improved his ability to push a pace and has better defensive wrestling, though he acknowledges Albazi's grappling danger if Kara-France makes mistakes.

Daniel argues that while Kai Kara-France has fought better competition, he has lost to all those top guys, whereas Albazi has handled everyone put in front of him. He believes Albazi's grappling upside and serviceable striking will be enough, and that Kara-France tends to fade in later rounds when pressured. He sees this as a chance for Albazi to rise to the occasion and win his first UFC main event.

Jacob picks Albazi, believing Kara-France will get overconfident in his striking and get caught. He thinks Albazi's jab and power will wear on Kara-France, leading to a takedown or knockout. Jacob notes Kara-France has a history of getting hit when he's too aggressive. He is confident Albazi wins.

Kara-France has improved defensive grappling and superior striking. Albazi will struggle to implement his grapple-heavy approach. Kara-France will stuff takedowns, land damaging blows, and win a decision. The fight likely goes over 3.5 rounds.

Paul picks Kai Kara-France based on his elite level competition and proven ability against top flyweights like Moreno and Garbrandt. He notes Albazi's wins are against lower-tier opponents and his last fight showed low output and takedown struggles. Paul sees Kara-France as the more reliable pick with better experience and accuracy, while Albazi is more of a hope. He mentions the small cage might help Albazi but believes Kara-France's footwork and speed will be decisive.

The MMA Guru picks Kai Kara-France, citing his great takedown defense, survivability, and patience on the feet. He notes that Kara-France doesn't get hit clean often and has a good chin. He believes Albazi will struggle to get takedowns or finishes, and that Kara-France's experience in five-round fights (interim title fight with Moreno) will be an advantage. He predicts Kara-France will take over as the fight goes on and possibly get a fourth-round TKO.

Angelo loves Albazi here, expecting him to point strike and work in takedowns for a clear win, potentially a stoppage. He notes Albazi is better everywhere except raw power. He thinks Albazi is good for parlays and expects a dominant performance.

Big Brady picks Albazi, calling him the real deal and a level above Costa. He notes Costa is a good fighter with power and BJJ, but Albazi was scheduled to fight top contenders. He sees no path for Costa to win—not by KO, decision, or submission. He predicts Albazi wins a 30-27 decision.

Cody picks Albazi, emphasizing his superior grappling and submission skills. He notes Albazi's striking is solid and he has good durability. He thinks Costa is in a tough spot on short notice and Albazi will take him down and strangle him. He is not confident in a prop but will play Albazi high.

The host bet the over 1.5 rounds, not a moneyline pick. He thinks Costa is better than Albazi's recent opponents and that the fight will be competitive for at least a round and a half. He even considers an Albazi decision at +225. No clear winner pick.

Paul picks Albazi, noting he has been a freight train, taking guys down and choking them out. He questions Costa's grappling level and thinks Albazi's submission skills are on another level. He mentions Albazi's striking looks good and he is agile. He considers inside the distance props.

Angelo picks Amir Albazi over Francisco Figueiredo. He describes Albazi as a legit prospect with solid grappling, striking, and high pace, who is light on his toes and can quickly snatch a leg for takedowns. He notes that Figueiredo is about 75% of his brother's ability, but is better at wrestling and grappling. Angelo believes Albazi has the edge in striking, wrestling, and grappling, and expects a one-sided decision. The only concern is Albazi's year-and-a-half layoff, which prevents Angelo from making him a parlay piece.

Big Brady is confident in Amir Albazi. He criticizes Francisco Figueiredo's low volume (1.92 significant strikes per minute), lack of power, and poor cardio, noting he lost rounds to Malcolm Gordon and Jerome Rivera. Albazi is well-rounded, has better volume, power, cardio, and grappling. Brady expects Albazi to win by decision, though he mentions a late finish is possible. He sees Albazi having the advantage everywhere.

Cody picks Albazi, emphasizing his fluid striking and grappling. He notes Figueiredo's cardio problems and lack of power. He thinks Albazi is on a different level and should win comfortably.

Daniel Levi leans toward Amir Albazi but is not confident enough to bet at -500. He thinks Albazi is a fantastic prospect but notes that he has been out for over a year and that Francisco Figueiredo is not as bad as the line suggests. Levi points out that Figueiredo made a bad decision in the Malcolm Gordon fight (dropping back for a leg lock from full mount) but has talent. He expects the fight to be competitive early, with Albazi pulling away later, but says it's a dog-or-pass situation.

Albazi is a promising flyweight prospect with strong wrestling and improving hands. He should dominate Figueiredo, who is low-level and only wins by early knockout. Albazi's grappling and durability will be too much; he can win by decision or finish. The host includes Albazi in a four-leg parlay.

Paul picks Albazi, citing his superior striking and grappling. He notes Figueiredo's cardio issues and lack of power. He thinks Albazi is the better fighter everywhere and should win, but the -500 line offers little value.

Big Brady picks Amir Albazi as an underdog, citing his decent striking and good ground game. He notes Albazi submitted Malcolm Gordon in his UFC debut. He expects a close fight and thinks Albazi will edge it out with takedowns. He is hesitant because Zhumagulov's fights are often close and he could have won his last fight.

Daniel Levi picks Amir Albazi, citing his aggression and forward pressure. He notes Zhumagulov gets bullied and has questionable wins. Levi believes Albazi is the more talented fighter and will win by being more aggressive, though he acknowledges it could be a toss-up.

Albazi is the younger, improving fighter with a strong grappling game. He has shown he can get the fight to the ground and has good jiu-jitsu, as seen in his submission win over Malcolm Gordon. Zhumagulov is primarily a striker who doesn't have great takedown defense and tends to lose early rounds. In a three-round fight, Albazi only needs to win the first two rounds by securing takedowns and controlling top position. I expect Albazi to win via decision.

Big Brady is confident in Gordon as an underdog, believing he is better everywhere: striking (harder hits, improved technique) and grappling (BJJ black belt, excellent scrambles). He thinks Gordon's 83% finish rate and hunger make him a live dog, and predicts a second-round submission. He notes Gordon's three KO losses but doesn't think Albazi has the power to exploit that.

Daniel Levi picks Amir Albazi, noting that he has been solid and his only losses are to top flyweights outside the UFC. He mentions that Gordon has a questionable chin but can scramble. He expects an exciting fight but leans toward the Swede.