Myktybek Orolbai

Angelo confidently picks Myktybek Orolbai, believing his relentless wrestling and pressure will be too much for Chris Curtis. He notes that Curtis had the highest takedown defense in middleweight but was taken down easily by Brendan Allen, and expects Orolbai to do the same. He thinks Orolbai will cruise to a decision win.

Big Brady picks Myktybek Orolbai to win by decision. He is concerned about Chris Curtis's age (38), layoff, and recent close fight with Max Griffin. He believes Orolbai is younger, hits harder, has wrestling upside, and is durable. He thinks Curtis's takedown defense, while good, hasn't been tested by wrestlers like Orolbai.

Cody leans Curtis as a dog, citing his superior striking and takedown defense. He notes Orolbai's clunky technique and hittability. He thinks Curtis can outpoint him or catch him, but acknowledges Curtis is 39 and declining.

Connor picks Orolbai, citing Curtis's tendency to lose focus and get distracted in fights, especially as he ages. He notes that Orolbai's relentless pressure could frustrate Curtis, leading to him arguing with the ref instead of fighting. He also mentions that Curtis has a history of finding ways to lose.

James picks Myktybek Orolbai to win by decision, citing his volume, grappling upside, and the fact that Curtis often underperforms. He notes Curtis is a better striker but may be outworked and taken down. He calls it a strange fight and a potential stayaway for betting.

The host picks Orolbai to win by decision but is hesitant due to the high price. He expects Orolbai's aggression and output to overwhelm Curtis, but acknowledges Curtis is the better striker and could land a knockout. He notes that Orolbai's grappling may not be as effective against Curtis's defensive grappling, so the fight likely stays standing where Orolbai's pressure could edge him rounds. He suggests a hedge on Curtis by KO in round 3.

Paul picks Orolbai, citing his size, power, and youth. He notes Curtis' age and recent split decisions. He thinks Orolbai can bully Curtis and get a finish or decision.

The Guru picks Myktybek Orolbai, citing his lightweight-level skills and toughness. He notes that Curtis struggled against Jack Hermansson, who Orolbai destroyed, and that Curtis's move to welterweight may not help. He predicts a TKO win for Orolbai.

Angelo picks Myktybek Orolbai over Jack Hermansson, calling it a life savings on the caveman. He describes Orolbai as a fun grappler with non-stop pressure, cardio, and power, while Hermansson is an aging welterweight moving down in weight, which weakens his chin and cardio. Orolbai's game plan is simple: takedown, smash, win.

Big Brady picks Myktybek Orolbai (Mairbek Tukhugov) by first-round knockout, citing Hermansson's recent brutal KO loss and quick turnaround. He questions Hermansson's chin and weight cut to welterweight, expecting Orolbai to land a big shot and finish him early.

Cody picks Jack Hermansson confidently, pending weight cut. He notes that Orolbai is one-dimensional, a weight bully who relies on takedowns but has poor striking defense. Jack has a reach advantage, excellent wrestling, and BJJ. Cody believes Jack can stuff takedowns and outwork Orolbai, who gasses and gets hit a lot.

Connor picks Orolbai, citing his physicality and grinding style as a problem for Hermansson. He notes that Hermansson is making a drastic weight cut to welterweight, which often fails at this career stage. Connor acknowledges Hermansson's win over Joe Pyfer but sees Orolbai's natural size and aggression as decisive.

Lucrative James picks Myktybek Orolbai, citing the weight class advantage (Orolbai moving up from 155, Hermansson cutting from 185). He believes Orolbai has better striking power, durability, and grappling. He notes Hermansson's recent KO loss and questionable chin. He predicts Orolbai will win, possibly by knockout.

Orolbai is a pressure grappler with solid cardio and finishing ability. Hermansson is dropping to welterweight at 37, with durability concerns and a long layoff. Orolbai should overwhelm Hermansson and finish him via TKO or submission.

Paul picks Jack Hermansson, noting that Orolbai is moving up to welterweight and has struggled with bigger opponents. Jack is a natural welterweight with good wrestling and submission skills. Paul believes Jack's experience and size will be too much for Orolbai, who has poor cardio and striking defense.

The MMA Guru picks Myktybek Orolbai over Jack Hermansson, believing Orolbai's speed and technique will overcome Hermansson's size. He notes Hermansson's KO loss and weight cut to welterweight. He trusts Orolbai's grappling defense and offensive submissions, predicting a win.

Angelo picks Myktybek Orolbai, citing his wrestling and toughness. He notes that Orolbai has shown he can win fights and has a good chin. He is concerned about Tofiq's two-year layoff and questions whether he is truly prepared. He thinks Orolbai's takedowns will be the difference and that $8,500 is a discount.

Big Brady picks Myktybek Orolbai (referred to as 'my tittyback') to grind out a decision. He notes Orolbai is very durable, has good cardio, and is relentless with wrestling and grappling. He is concerned about Musayev's striking power but thinks Orolbai's toughness and ability to get takedowns will be key. Brady expects a close, greasy war and predicts Orolbai by decision.

Connor picks Orolbai, agreeing that Musayev's potshotting style and reliance on wrestling as a backup won't hold up against Orolbai's relentless pace. He notes that Orolbai's losses to Rębecki and Brenner came against fighters who set or accepted a high pace, and that Musayev hasn't faced that kind of pressure. He believes Orolbai's physicality and ability to force exchanges will overwhelm Musayev.

The host notes Musayev is a solid power puncher but has sketchy takedown defense and defensive grappling. He expects Orolbai to eat some big shots but push through, land takedowns, possibly get a submission, but ultimately grind out a decision win.

The MMA Guru picks Myktybek Orolbai, praising his footwork and straight punches. He contrasts Orolbai's modern fight game with Tofiq Musayev's inferior footwork. He notes Orolbai's durability against Rebecki and expects him to take over in later rounds, predicting a 29-28 decision.

Angelo picks Myktybek Orolbai in a close fight. He notes Orolbai has better cardio, can close the gap and get takedowns, and has a good chin. He thinks Rębecki's only hope is a knockout, but Orolbai is durable. He acknowledges Rębecki is good and has been reliable in the past, but leans toward Orolbai's pressure and grappling.

Big Brady picks Orolbai, expecting a chaotic scramble-fest. He notes that Rębecki slows down as fights go on, as seen against Fiori and Carlos Diego Ferreira. He believes Orolbai's pace will be too much for Rębecki and that Orolbai will take over as the fight progresses. He predicts a decision win, possibly with a late finish.

Cody picks Myktybek Orolbai, citing his massive size and reach advantage over Rębecki. He notes that Rębecki gassed out in his last fight and has no plan B when his wrestling fails. Orolbai's size, power, and ability to lean on opponents will wear down Rębecki. Cody believes Orolbai will win by decision or late finish.

Connor picks Orolbai, agreeing that he is more determined and a better round winner. He notes that Rębecki is a better puncher but more amorphous in his process, while Orolbai demands control and will not let Rębecki off the hook. Connor sees Rębecki winning the first round but losing the last two due to Orolbai's pressure.

Daniel Vreeland picks Orolbai, noting that Rębecki gassed out in his last fight after spamming overhands. He argues that Rębecki's wrestling won't work against Orolbai, who is a better wrestler and scrambler. Vreeland expects Orolbai to wear Rębecki down and finish him.

Daniel Vreeland picks Mateusz Rębecki to win, but primarily because he sees value on the underdog at the current line. He believes the fight is closer than the odds suggest and that Rębecki's experience and pace could be decisive. Vreeland notes that Orolbai has shown vulnerability when things go south, as seen in the Brener fight.

Jeff Fox agrees with Vreeland, picking Orolbai. He mentions that Orolbai has been impressive since joining the UFC and that he took him in his debut on short notice. Fox trusts Orolbai's skills and expects him to win.

Orolbai has the cardio and scrambling advantage, allowing him to avoid early danger and grind out a win. He could get a third-round finish or win on the scorecards. This is a grapple-heavy matchup.

Paul picks Orolbai, agreeing that Rębecki was exposed in his last fight and that Orolbai's size and strength will be too much. He notes that Orolbai is a mountain of a man at 155 and that Rębecki's cardio issues will be exploited. Paul is confident Orolbai will win.

The Guru picks Myktybek Orolbai, citing his relentless pace and ability to dig deep. He notes that Orolbai pushed through adversity against Uros Medic and has shown good cardio. He believes Rębecki is good but may fade in the later rounds, while Orolbai's pressure and takedown attempts will break him. The Guru also mentions the humid Abu Dhabi environment favoring the tougher fighter.

Zane picks Orolbai because he is pot-committed to pressing forward and forcing his wrestling, and he is incredibly focused on making his fight happen. Even if Rębecki has early success, Orolbai's relentless pressure will gas him out and take over in later rounds. Zane notes that Orolbai is a round winner who stays calm and confident.

Angelo is confident in Orolbai, disagreeing with the public narrative that Brener is a good underdog. He views Brener as a grappler despite his knockout wins, and believes Orolbai's relentless wrestling and cardio will overwhelm him. He compares it to Orolbai's win over Uros Medic.

Big Brady is impressed with Orolbai's upside, calling him 'great everywhere' and noting his dominant debut. He acknowledges Brener's toughness and finishing ability but believes Orolbai has more ways to win. He predicts a decision due to both fighters' durability.

Cody picks Brener as a dog, citing his takedown defense, scrambling, and striking advantage. He notes Orolbai is coming down from 170 and may have weight cut issues, and his wrestling-heavy style may not impress judges. Cody expects Brener to win a close decision or get a finish.

Daniel Vreeland picks Orolbai, comparing his wrestling style to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He highlights Orolbai's pressure, takedown entries against the cage, and ability to stick to opponents. He believes Orolbai's suffocating style will be too much for Brener, who may struggle to create separation. He is willing to lay juice on Orolbai due to his dominant attributes.

Orolbai is very dangerous with his relentless grappling approach and better gas tank. He will put Brener through the ringer and finish him in the second or third round. The money line around -250 is acceptable.

Paul picks Orolbai, citing his physical strength and takedown ability. He notes Brener has been taken down before and Orolbai's power at lightweight will be a factor. Paul expects Orolbai to get takedowns and control the fight.

Angelo picks Uroš Medić, expecting his technical striking and patience to light up the brawler Johnny Parsons. He notes Medić has speed, footwork, and a killer instinct. He warns that Parsons is always live for a knockout but does not think he will find it here.

Big Brady was impressed with Orolbai's skills but notes he's coming in on short notice, which affects his cardio for a wrestling-heavy game plan. He thinks Medić is dangerous, has shown three-round cardio, and can finish fights late. He picks Medić by third-round knockout, but says on a full camp he would pick Orolbai. He doesn't see himself betting this fight.

Cody does not make a clear pick due to lack of information on Orolbai. He notes the fight was added late and he hasn't studied it. He mentions Orolbai looks like a 'bad man' but is on short notice. He leans towards passing or taking the favorite but is uncertain.

Orolbai has relentless grappling and crushing top pressure, with improved striking leading to knockouts. Medić is a striker with questionable ground game. Orolbai will dictate the pace with wrestling, land big shots, and find a finish in the second round. The fight doesn't go to decision is a favorite prop.

Paul also does not make a clear pick, stating he hasn't looked into Orolbai enough. He mentions Medić's toughness and power but cannot confidently pick a side. He suggests the fight will be violent but passes on betting.