Bruno Silva

The host picks Bruno Silva, noting that Silva is better on the mat and can counter while moving forward on the feet. He believes Silva's opportunistic takedowns and slick transitions will give him the edge. He also mentions that Silva does not accept bottom position and is quick to attack submissions.

AJ picks Bruno Silva due to his well-rounded game, strong wrestling, and experience against elite competition. He views Cháirez as having questionable fight IQ and less proven wins. AJ expects Silva to outwork Cháirez over three rounds, possibly winning a decision, and notes Silva's toughness and activity as green flags.

Angelo picks Bruno Silva, citing his power and output advantage. He believes Silva will be the one moving forward and dictating pace, making Cháirez uncomfortable. He notes that when pressured, Cháirez tends to back up and doesn't fight as comfortably, and may get taken down where he throws up random submissions.

Big Brady picks Édgar Cháirez to win by third round knockout. He thinks the market is low on Cháirez after a poor performance in Mexico City, but expects Cháirez to return to his aggressive style. He notes that Bruno Silva is older and has been finished multiple times, and that Cháirez has a good chance to land a big shot late.

Édgar Cháirez is the underdog but has power and range with head kicks and jabs. Bruno Silva is past his prime and likely won't take the fight to the ground. Cháirez will win by decision, using his reach advantage and boxing, as Silva's recent performances have been poor.

Cody picks Cháirez as a slight underdog, noting it's a 50/50 fight. He cites Cháirez's youth, reach advantage, and better gas tank. Silva is older and may slow down. He prefers the plus money on Cháirez.

Bruno Silva is picked because he has faster hands, more power, and better wrestling than Édgar Cháirez. Cháirez struggled against Felipe Bunes and has a tendency to pull guard and sit in his guard. Silva's aggressive pressure and ground and pound should overwhelm Cháirez. The host expects a decision win, as both are durable.

Silva has more pathways to victory with his grappling and wrestling advantage. Chavez has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. Silva should bank the first round with takedowns and win a decision.

Lucrative James picks Édgar Cháirez, citing Bruno Silva's age (36) and recent decline at flyweight, where fighters peak young. He notes Cháirez's finishing ability, having hurt top fighters like Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, and Silva's increased vulnerability. He predicts Cháirez will hurt Silva on the feet and secure a submission, possibly a guillotine or rear-naked choke.

Silva's pressure, calf kicks, and boxing combinations should overwhelm Cháirez, who lacks one-punch knockout power. Silva dictates the pace and avoids submission threats, grinding out a decision. The -135 line is acceptable.

Angelo picks Charles Johnson but admits nervousness due to Bruno Silva's one-punch knockout power. He notes Johnson's excellent footwork, hand speed, and cardio, and believes if Johnson gets going early, he can avoid the big shot and win a decision. He acknowledges Johnson has been knocked out before but thinks his high IQ will prevail.

Big Brady picks Charles Johnson to win by third-round knockout, but expresses wariness due to Johnson's recent knockout loss and chin concerns. He likes the stylistic matchup, noting Silva's front-loaded power and tendency to fade, but worries Johnson might get knocked out early. He calls Johnson inconsistent.

Cody picks Bruno Silva as a dog, citing his wrestling, power, and durability. He notes Johnson's takedown defense issues and recent knockout loss. He thinks Silva can win by decision or submission.

Connor also picks Charles Johnson, emphasizing that Bruno Silva lacks the ability to adjust strategically, while Johnson can figure out his opponent as the fight progresses. He notes that Silva's wins come from opponents making the same mistakes, which Johnson does not do. Connor sees Johnson's adaptability as the key factor.

James picks Charles Johnson to win by decision, but expresses concern about Johnson's quick return after a knockout loss. He notes Johnson's superior cardio, volume, and tools, but worries about his durability and potential recklessness. He believes Johnson is the better fighter overall but is uncertain how he will approach the fight.

The host picks Johnson to win by decision, expecting him to outclass Silva on the feet. He highlights Johnson's reach advantage, defensive grappling, and ability to get back to his feet quickly. He believes Johnson's striking will be too much for Silva, and that Silva's power and grappling won't be enough to overcome Johnson's technical edge.

Paul picks Bruno Silva, noting he bets him every fight. He likes his wrestling and power, and thinks he can outgrapple Johnson. He expects a close fight but Silva has value at plus money.

The Guru picks Charles Johnson, believing he will walk down Bruno Silva as the fight progresses. He notes Johnson's size advantage (5'9" vs 5'4") and reach, and that Silva fights in bursts and lacks consistent finishing ability. He predicts a TKO in the second round.

Angelo picks Bruno Silva as an underdog, arguing he is tough, gritty, and dangerous everywhere. He notes Silva's recent losses were to elite strikers (Joshua Van, Manel Kape) and believes he can win a dogfight. He acknowledges Park's grappling and power but questions his resume and durability.

Big Brady notes Park is unproven against top competition but likes his youth, power, and slick grappling. He worries about Bruno Silva's age, damage taken, and questionable durability. He thinks Park will pressure and finish Silva as the fight goes on, predicting a third-round finish.

Cody picks Silva, citing his power and durability. He notes Park has been knocked down by lesser competition and has poor durability. Silva is a dog who fights for your dollar. Cody expects Silva to win by knockout or decision.

Connor picks Bruno Silva, highlighting Silva's dynamic counter-punching and ability to find big shots even when losing. He notes that Park has thrived on athleticism and size but lacks technical depth, and that Silva's right hand is a major threat to Park's square stance. Connor also points out that Park's only real test was against Tatsuro Taira, who dominated him, and that Silva is a much tougher step up.

James is torn on this fight. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's skills but questions his durability and age (35) after two brutal knockout losses. He also notes Park's finishing ability but doubts his cardio if the fight goes long. James plans to do more tape study before making a final decision.

The host sees this as a great spot for Park to get back in the win column, utilizing his athleticism, speed, and power advantages over the veteran Bruno Silva. He expects Park to land a seminal blow in the second or third round and win by knockout.

Paul picks Silva, agreeing with Cody. He notes Park's striking is not elite and his durability is questionable. Silva has fought tougher competition and has power. Paul sees value at plus 215.

The MMA Guru picks Bruno Silva over Kyung Ho Kang Park (Park Hyun-sung). He notes Silva's dangerous striking and BJJ, and believes he won't be submitted. He thinks Park's loss to Tatsuro Taira shows he is bottom-of-the-barrel flyweight level. He predicts a hard-fought split decision win for Silva, taking him as an underdog.

Angelo picks Joshua Van because of his rapid improvements and clean technique. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's power and toughness but thinks Bruno is sloppy and older. He worries about Joshua's chin after the Charles Johnson KO but believes Joshua's striking will be too clean. He notes the odds are becoming unusable at 5-to-1.

Big Brady picks Joshua Van but acknowledges this is his toughest test. He likes Van's volume, pressure, and pace, and thinks he will break Silva in the later rounds. He notes Silva's power and that Van has been finished before, but expects Van to overcome early adversity and knock Silva out in the third round. He cites Silva's history of being finished in the third round.

The fight may be competitive early, but Van's classic style is expected to take over as he batters Bruno Silva through the last 12.5 minutes. Van wins on the scorecards.

Angelo picks Kape as the cleaner, more technical striker with better footwork. He notes Kape's speed, explosiveness, and ability to bounce in and out of range, while Silva is a tough bruiser who is good everywhere but not technical. He expects Kape to win by decision due to Silva's toughness, and sees value in Kape's odds.

Big Brady picks Manel Kape to win by second-round knockout, but is hesitant due to Kape's inconsistency. He notes Kape has looked like a star in some fights but has also had terrible performances where he did nothing. He thinks Kape has a major skill advantage and should finish Silva, but is not sure he will show up.

Cody picks Bruno Silva as a live underdog, citing Manel Kape's history of tentative performances and poor output. He notes Silva's power, durability, and recent knockout wins, and believes Silva's willingness to push the pace will expose Kape's tendency to sit back. Cody also mentions Silva's training at Fight Ready with high-level partners.

Connor picks Kape, acknowledging Silva's toughness and well-roundedness but noting that Kape's athleticism and speed are superior. He thinks Silva's best chance is to pressure, but that plays into Kape's counterpunching. Connor expects a slow fight where Kape eventually lands a big shot.

Daniel Vreeland picks Manel Kape to win by knockout, citing Kape's fast hands and explosiveness. He notes that Bruno Silva is tough and will stand and trade, which plays into Kape's strengths. Vreeland believes Kape can hurt Silva more than Cody Durman did, and that a finish is likely. He mentions Kape's past issues with overconfidence but thinks he will perform well here.

Lucrative James picks Manel Kape to win, citing Kape's accuracy, athleticism, and durability. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's power and grappling upside, but believes Kape's sharpshooting and ability to land heavy blows will prevail. He notes Silva's recent poor performance against Cody Durden and Kape's overall skill advantage, though he admits Silva has value as an underdog.

Kape's explosiveness, power, and speed will be too much for Bruno Silva. He will land the more damaging strikes, which could lead to a finish, but the prediction is for Kape to win on the scorecards.

Paul leans towards Bruno Silva, agreeing with Cody that the price is too high on Kape. He notes Kape's inconsistency and Silva's power and durability. Paul sees this as a dogger pass situation and is willing to take the plus money on Silva.

The MMA Guru picks Manel Kape, acknowledging Bruno Silva's underrated skills and finishing ability but believing Kape's takedown defense and durability are underrated. He notes that Kape has never been finished and has gone the distance with champions like Pantoja. He predicts Kape will win by TKO or decision, possibly with a flying knee. He dismisses Silva's wins as against lower-level competition.

Angelo picks Cody Durden because his aggressive wrestling pace will be too much for Bruno Silva, leading to a close decision. He notes that Silva has power and could land a knockout, but Durden's chin is a concern. He does not mention a bet, but is confident in the pick.

Cody picks Bruno Silva, highlighting his striking advantage and the fact that he accepted the fight before Durden, indicating confidence from training together. He notes Silva's defensive wrestling is solid and that Durden will struggle to take him down. He also mentions Silva's submission win over Tyson Nam as impressive.

Daniel Vreeland picks his friend Cody Durden, citing Durden's superior wrestling, volume, and training with Pantoja. He acknowledges Bruno's explosive power and opportunistic submissions but believes Durden will outwork him everywhere. Vreeland warns against underestimating Durden's standup and submission defense.

Silva is a +100 underdog. He has a slick boxing approach and BJJ black belt, and his takedown defense and ability to work back to his feet should frustrate Durden. Durden will put himself in danger with his wrestling, and Silva can capitalize with a submission or TKO. Silva's inactivity (16 months) is a concern, but his skills should be enough to get the win.

Paul also picks Bruno Silva, agreeing with Cody's points about Silva's striking and the familiarity from training. He thinks Silva has an advantage on the feet and that Durden will be in trouble if he tries to grapple. He also notes the submission prop as a possibility.

Angelo leans toward Bruno Silva because he has more ways to win, being well-rounded with power, wrestling, and submissions. He acknowledges Tyson Nam's one-punch knockout power but prefers the versatility. He suggests the best bet might be Tyson Nam inside the distance (decision no action) due to Nam's toughness and Silva's potential rust from a two-year layoff.

Big Brady picks Bruno Silva because he believes Silva will be the more active striker and has a clear grappling advantage. He notes that Tyson Nam relies on landing a big shot and doesn't grapple, and at 39 years old it's hard to favor him. Brady expects Silva to mix in takedowns and win by decision, as Nam's 100% takedown defense hasn't been tested by grapplers.

Cody picks Silva but is hesitant due to the two-year layoff. He acknowledges Silva's momentum before the layoff and his training, but notes ring rust concerns. He prefers a prop on Nam by KO if the price is right.

Connor picks Nam, favoring his pressure and counter-striking style. He notes that Nam is comfortable in the pocket and accurate with his right hand, while Silva tends to become frantic under pressure and may give Nam the openings he wants. He acknowledges Silva's toughness and tricky entries but thinks Nam's experience and timing will prevail.

I think Silva's improvements in combination striking and his ability to take the fight to the ground will be key. He can avoid Nam's power by dragging him to the mat and controlling the fight there. Nam's decision-making is poor when he can't knock opponents out. Silva should win by decision, but be cautious of Nam's knockout power.

Paul picks Silva, noting his improvements and durability. He thinks Silva's wrestling and chin will be too much for Nam, who is a one-dimensional banger. He likes the -200 price relative to other favorites on the card.

The MMA Guru picks Bruno Silva over Tyson Nam, despite Nam being the popular pick. He believes Silva is technical and has improved his boxing, making him dangerous. He notes Nam is 39 and questions his ability to get another KO win. The Guru predicts Silva will win by TKO finish.

Big Brady confidently picks Bruno Silva, calling this a massive step down in competition. He highlights Silva's well-rounded skills (striking, wrestling, BJJ) and expects a first-round submission. He notes Rodriguez has never seen a third round and has been finished by questionable opponents.

Cody Saftic picks Bruno Silva, noting that Silva has shown improvement and is training with high-level partners. He believes Rodriguez is a low-level regional fighter who was knocked out by Adrian Yanez in his UFC debut. Saftic thinks Silva's well-rounded game and momentum will be too much for Rodriguez, and that Silva will get a finish. He acknowledges the price is high but sees value.

Daniel Levi picks Bruno Silva, stating that Silva is better everywhere—more explosive, more comfortable—and that Victor Rodriguez comes from a weak Alaskan regional scene and does not belong in the UFC. He predicts Silva will handle Rodriguez easily, possibly by first-round knockout or submission. He advises against laying the -350 price but is confident in the win.

Matt is very confident Bruno Silva finishes Victor Rodriguez, likely in the first or second round. He highlights Silva's performance against JP Buys, where he knocked him out in the second round, and his close fight with Woolen Backoff where he showed good takedown defense. He dismisses Rodriguez's power as a threat, noting Silva has faced heavier hitters. He recommends Silva inside the distance or the under 2.5 rounds, calling it a steal.

Paul Shaughnessy picks Bruno Silva but is hesitant due to the price. He notes that Silva looked good against JP Buys but that Buys is not UFC caliber. He questions whether Silva's improvements are real and whether he can handle a step up. However, he acknowledges that Rodriguez's competition level is very low and that Silva should win. He suggests passing on the moneyline.

Big Brady picks Bruno Silva as an underdog, citing JP Buys' cardio issues and tendency to gas after the first round. He notes Buys has never been to a decision and has been finished before, while Silva is a black belt in BJJ with better cardio and takedown defense. Brady believes if Silva survives the early storm, he will take over and finish Buys by TKO in the second round.

Daniel Levi picks JP Buys, expecting him to get off to a big lead and possibly an early submission. He notes Buys' cardio issues but thinks he can weather the storm and win a decision. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's improvements but sees Buys as the more physical fighter early.

Bruno Silva has shown great cardio against high-level opponents like Dvorak and Ulanbekov, while JP Buys slows down past the first round. Silva's ability to survive the early storm and take over later in the fight is key. Buys has better striking technique but his cardio issues make him vulnerable as a favorite. Silva should win by decision, though Buys has potential if he fixes his cardio.

Big Brady picks Ulanbekov confidently, citing advantages everywhere: solid striking, very good wrestling, and volume. He expects Ulanbekov to get takedowns at will and win a dominant decision. He notes Silva is a BJJ black belt but believes Ulanbekov can avoid submissions. He includes Ulanbekov in a parlay with Barboza.

Daniel picks Tagir Ulanbekov but acknowledges the line is too wide. He thinks Ulanbekov is one-dimensional with grappling and not a top-tier Russian prospect. He notes that Bruno Silva has fought tough competition and could make it close. However, he believes Ulanbekov's size and wrestling, plus the 'Russian connection' in Abu Dhabi, will edge him the win.

Ulanbekov is a high-level Dagestani wrestler with a strong frame and cardio; Silva fades late and has questionable jiu-jitsu. Ulanbekov will control the fight with takedowns and top pressure, likely winning by decision or late finish.

Daniel picks the dog Dvořák, noting his size and length advantage. He thinks Bruno Silva has a suspect chin and that Dvořák might drop him. He also mentions the lack of crowd might help Dvořák think more smoothly in his debut.