Brendson Ribeiro

Angelo is extremely confident in Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, calling it the easiest pick on the card. He notes Yakhyaev is a good prospect with wrestling, striking, and power, while Brendson Ribeiro is hitable and has a quit button. However, he strongly advises against betting at -1400 odds, calling it not worth the risk.

Big Brady is extremely confident Yakhyaev will win, calling it 'dumb matchmaking.' He expects Yakhyaev to knock out Ribeiro within the first minute, as he has done in recent fights. He notes Ribeiro has no chin and that Yakhyaev finishes fights quickly.

Cody is confident Yakhyaev wins by first-round knockout, given Ribeiro's history of first-round KO losses. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills and the mismatch, but warns about the prohibitive moneyline.

James is extremely confident in Yakhyaev, calling it a 'murder scene.' He highlights Yakhyaev's explosiveness, wrestling, and finishing ability, while noting Ribeiro's lack of durability and short-notice camp. He predicts a round one KO, stating Yakhyaev is a legitimate prospect who will run through Ribeiro. He mentions the odds are too high to bet but is certain of the outcome.

James is very high on Yakhyaev, calling him one of the greatest fighters in the division and predicting he will steamroll Ribeiro and become a champion. He compares his confidence to his previous correct call on Loena Cavana.

The host is extremely confident in Yakhyaev, citing his insane ceiling, dangerous grappling and striking, and a horrible stylistic matchup for Ribeiro. He expects a first-round finish and advises against parlaying the heavy chalk, instead looking for props. He notes Ribeiro's recent losses and lack of success against similar competition.

Paul is confident Yakhyaev wins, likely by submission or KO in the first round. He notes the price is prohibitive but suggests playing the round one prop or parlay.

Angelo picks Oumar Sy confidently, despite holding a grudge from Sy's previous loss. He acknowledges Sy's athleticism, speed, and power, and believes he can weather Ribeiro's early danger and then dominate with wrestling. He criticizes Ribeiro's quit button and susceptibility to being hit. He expects Sy to win, likely by wrestling, but warns that if he loses, he should be cut.

Big Brady is very confident in Oumar Sy, calling it a layup. He highlights Ribeiro's 0% takedown defense and poor ground game. He expects Sy to take him down easily and finish via submission or TKO in the first round, despite Sy's previous failure as a heavy favorite.

The host thinks this is a great matchup for Sy to bounce back after his first pro defeat. He expects Sy to put pressure on Ribeiro, drag him to the ground, and open up a finishing position via ground and pound or submission.

Angelo picks Azamat Murzakanov confidently, noting his power, wrestling, and durability. He highlights that Azamat has a knockdown in all five UFC fights and showed a second gear when rocked by Alonzo Menifield. He thinks Brendson Ribeiro is hittable and has a quit button. He includes Azamat in a parlay as one of his most confident picks.

Big Brady is confident in Murzakanov despite his age (jokes he is in his 70s). He praises Murzakanov's striking and well-rounded game, and thinks Ribeiro is hittable and doesn't like getting hit. He expects Murzakanov to find a knockout early, possibly in the first round, noting his history of second- and third-round KOs but thinking this one comes sooner.

The fight might be closer than the odds indicate, especially if Murzakanov leans on his striking. Ribeiro has a huge height and reach advantage that could cause trouble, but Murzakanov is expected to eventually get to his grappling and find a ground-and-pound finish.

Angelo picks Diyar Nurgozhay over Brendson Ribeiro. He is very high on Nurgozhay as a prospect, praising his wrestling, finishing ability, and quality wins. He notes Ribeiro is hittable and has a quit button. Angelo recommends betting on Nurgozhay now before the line skyrockets.

Big Brady picks Diyar Nurgozhay, praising his wrestling, vicious ground and pound, and power. He is not sold on Brendson Ribeiro, citing poor striking defense, durability, ground game, and heart, noting that Ribeiro's loss to Magomed Gadzhiyasulov is aging poorly. Brady believes if Nurgozhay gets on top, he will pound Ribeiro out. He predicts a second-round knockout for Nurgozhay.

Cody picks Jean Matsumoto, citing his youth, volume, and improved wrestling. He notes that Miles Johns has abandoned his wrestling and is low volume. He believes Matsumoto's performance against Rob Font showed he can compete at a higher level and that he will outwork Johns.

Connor agrees, describing Nurgozhay as a pillar-like fighter with Sambo timing and a devastating uppercut. He notes that Ribeiro is a classic light heavyweight with all power and no breaks, and that he will likely get caught by Nurgozhay's counters. He also mentions that Nurgozhay is durable and has a coherent striking game.

Daniel does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup briefly but does not state a preference or bet.

The host believes Nurgozhay will walk through Ribeiro using a grapple-heavy approach, taking him down and finding a dominant position to finish.

Paul picks Matsumoto, noting that Miles Johns has been trying to strike more but lacks volume and power. He believes Matsumoto's wrestling and volume will be too much for Johns, who has not been using his wrestling effectively.

The MMA Guru picks Diyar Nurgozhay, citing his well-rounded game, power, and submission ability. He notes Nurgozhay has a win over a PFL winner and knocked out a guy on the Contender Series with a head kick. He criticizes Brendson Ribeiro's mixed results, including a loss to Mingyang Zhang, and thinks Nurgozhay will knock him out on the feet. He predicts a first-round TKO debut win.

Angelo picks Caio Machado as the cleaner fighter with more ways to win. He notes Machado is well-rounded, has volume and footwork, good clinch work, and underrated BJJ. He acknowledges Brendson Ribeiro could come in wild and connect, but outside of that, Machado is the better fighter. He shares a funny anecdote about accidentally messaging Machado instead of another fighter.

Big Brady picks Caio Machado to win by decision. He notes that Ribeiro has poor cardio (about 7.5 minutes of gas) and that Machado, moving down from heavyweight, should have better cardio and volume. Brady thinks Machado can take over as the fight progresses, either by outworking Ribeiro on the feet or by taking him down. He mentions Ribeiro's takedown defense looked awful in his last fight.

Cody picks Caio Machado, noting his improved physique at light heavyweight and his volume striking. He criticizes Ribeiro as a glass cannon with poor cardio and durability, and believes Machado's cardio, volume, and grappling advantage will allow him to outwork Ribeiro. He also mentions Machado's experience and the favorable judging in Canada.

Daniel Vreeland picks Caio Machado to win his light heavyweight debut, despite acknowledging his poor technique. He notes that Brendson Ribeiro has a questionable chin and heart, getting hurt in every fight and covering up when in trouble. Vreeland believes Machado's toughness and willingness to push through adversity will overcome Ribeiro's technical edge, especially since Ribeiro has shown a tendency to quit.

Lucrative James picks Brendson Ribeiro, citing his early finishing upside and Machado's questionable durability. He notes Machado is moving down from heavyweight, which may zap his speed advantage, and that Ribeiro has power to finish early. He also mentions Ribeiro's poor fight IQ and cardio but believes he can get the win.

Machado is going down to light heavyweight for the first time after starting 0-2 in the UFC, but this is a winnable fight where he should have the overall advantage and grind Ribeiro out, winning on the scorecards.

Paul also picks Machado, citing his volume and cardio advantage over Ribeiro, who he sees as a power puncher with questionable durability. He notes that Machado has looked better at light heavyweight and should be able to outwork Ribeiro. He also mentions the over 1.5 rounds prop as a possibility.

Angelo picks Magomed but expresses skepticism about the wide odds, noting Magomed's record includes many 'fake fights' on carpet in hotel lobbies. He acknowledges Magomed has solid striking, wrestling, and body work, but Ribeiro is dangerous and hitable. He decided not to include Magomed in the safety parlay due to the debut factor and unproven competition. He still expects Magomed to win because Ribeiro gets hit too much and has a quit button.

Big Brady picks Magomed Gadzhiyasulov because he believes he has more paths to victory: on the feet with a big shot or on the ground with a TKO. He questions Ribeiro's durability, noting he has been finished five times, often in the first round. While Gadzhiyasulov's competition has been low-level, Brady thinks his skills are sufficient to exploit Ribeiro's weaknesses. He predicts a second-round TKO.

Cody picks Gadzhiyasulov but suggests the over 1.5 rounds as a better play. He notes Gadzhiyasulov is a decision machine with questionable finishing ability, while Ribeiro is a glass cannon who either wins early or loses early. He expects Gadzhiyasulov to grind out a win past the first round.

Daniel Vreeland leans with Magomed Gadzhiyasulov but is unsure due to unknowns. He notes Gadzhiyasulov's wrestling and grinding style, while Ribeiro is a banger with power but a questionable chin. He expects Gadzhiyasulov to win a decision but acknowledges Ribeiro's knockout potential.

Jacob agrees Magomed should win as the more technical and tactical fighter, but warns that Ribeiro is a dangerous puncher who will give himself a chance. He notes Magomed has wrestling as a plan B if he feels pressure, but if he eats a clean shot he could get put out. Jacob calls Magomed a 'parlay buster' waiting to happen and says picks and bets are different—he picks Magomed but understands betting on Ribeiro for the KO.

JP picks Godzilla (Gadzhiyasulov) by decision, noting his undefeated record and Ribeiro's recent loss. He highlights Ribeiro's reach advantage but believes Godzilla's wrestling and control will be decisive. Brevan adds that Godzilla's Dagestani wrestling base gives him a huge ground advantage, though he warns about Godzilla's tendency to back up and engage in unnecessary exchanges, which could open a window for Ribeiro to land a KO. Both expect a decision win for Godzilla.

Paul picks Gadzhiyasulov, citing his wrestling and control. He notes Ribeiro's only path is a first-round knockout, but Gadzhiyasulov's style should neutralize that. He acknowledges the danger early but expects a win.

Angelo picks Brendson Ribeiro as the underdog, citing his more dangerous offense and Zhang's hollow record. He notes Ribeiro is hittable and can be finished, so he won't bet on him unless the line moves further. He thinks Ribeiro's aggression and power can get the job done.

Big Brady picks Brendson Ribeiro as a dog, citing his significant reach advantage (6 inches) and power. He notes that Zhang Mingyang is hitable and has been knocked out three times. He acknowledges both fighters have red flags but believes Ribeiro's offense and length will be too much. He says nobody should be favored here and has low confidence.

Cody picks Ribeiro, recalling his terrifying appearance on Contender Series. He notes Zhang's loss to a fraudulent fighter (Oscar Mova) as a red flag. He believes Ribeiro's ground game gives him an edge if he can land first. He sees this as a dog-or-pass fight and takes the plus money.

Daniel picks Brendson Ribeiro as a dog. He dislikes Zhang's competition level, noting he has fought short heavy Chinese men he's never heard of. He also cites Zhang's inactivity (1.5 years). He likes Ribeiro's length, well-roundedness, and finishing ability. He acknowledges that Ribeiro's regional Brazilian competition isn't great either, but prefers his Contender Series performance over Zhang's Road to UFC wins.

Daniel Vreeland picks Brendson Ribeiro, favoring the Brazilian over the Chinese fighter. He notes Ribeiro's better level of competition, training at a good camp, and six-inch reach advantage. He believes both are hittable but expects Ribeiro to knock out Zhang. He does not recommend a big wager.

Jeff picks Zhang Mingyang, disagreeing with Daniel. He was impressed by Zhang's performance on Road to UFC, where he beat George Tokos with sharp boxing and composure. He notes that Zhang's punches come in straight and he doesn't overextend, even when hurting opponents. In contrast, he criticizes Ribeiro for overextending on the Contender Series despite a reach advantage. He believes Zhang will pick Ribeiro apart and find a knockout.

Ribeiro is calm under pressure and can throw power from his back foot. His key is taking Mingyang to the mat, where he can find dominant positions and land big shots for a TKO. Expects a finish in the first or second round.

Paul picks Ribeiro as a dog, noting both fighters are glass cannons with first-round finishes. He mentions Ribeiro's ground game and ability to swarm with ground and pound. He sees this as a classic dog-or-pass fight and takes the plus money on Ribeiro.