Lucas Rocha

Angelo picks Lucas Rocha based on his brain over gut feeling. He notes Lucas is the more dangerous fighter and that Stewart doesn't like forward pressure. However, he acknowledges Lucas's poor takedown defense and the risk of being taken down. He does not bet the moneyline but suggests under 2.5 rounds as a play.

Big Brady leans slightly toward Stewart Nicoll, expecting takedowns to come easy and Nicoll to find a submission. He notes Nicoll is a talented grappler with nasty ground and pound, but made a mistake in his last fight by getting caught in a guillotine. He acknowledges Lucas Rocha is dangerous on the feet with power and flying knees, but has no striking or takedown defense. Brady sees it as a striker vs grappler matchup and picks Nicoll by second-round submission.

Cody picks Nicoll but is hesitant due to his previous loss by guillotine. He notes Rocha's inability to grapple and Nicoll's path to victory, but worries about travel and Brazilian judging. He suggests checking Nicoll's arrival in Brazil.

Lucrative James picks Stewart Nicoll as an underdog, citing Nicoll's tenacious grappling and takedown ability. He acknowledges Lucas Rocha's striking advantage and knockout power, but believes Nicoll's wrestling and cardio will be decisive. He notes that Rocha has been taken down multiple times in past fights and submitted. However, he is hesitant because Nicoll was submitted in his last fight and his jiu-jitsu may not be slick enough to finish Rocha. He sees the fight ending inside the distance.

Manpreet picks Nicoll at plus money, believing his grappling and control will stifle Rocha's Muay Thai. He notes Nicoll's BJJ black belt and ability to take the back, and expects him to win by decision. He considers the plus 100 a value line, as Nicoll would be a favorite if not for his debut loss.

Paul picks Nicoll, citing Rocha's poor grappling and ballooned record. He notes Nicoll's BJJ black belt and physical strength, and expects him to take Rocha down and submit or control him. He warns about travel concerns but sees value.

Angelo picks Clayton Carpenter, citing his slick grappling and aggressive submission hunting. He notes Carpenter's fast pace and ability to set the tone early, while Lucas Rocha's upright stance makes him vulnerable to takedowns. Angelo believes Carpenter's offensive wrestling will be the deciding factor, as Rocha has shown poor defensive wrestling. He expects Carpenter to win via takedowns and control, calling it a straightforward pick.

Big Brady picks Clayton Carpenter to win by second-round knockout. He likes Carpenter's striking, wrestling, and grappling, and notes he is a high-level black belt. He criticizes Rocha's takedown defense, durability, and tendency to get dropped in fights. Rocha was taken down easily by Bittencourt on the Contender Series before landing a comeback KO. Brady expects Carpenter to dominate and potentially finish, though he acknowledges ring rust could be a factor after a 19-month layoff.

This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.

Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Rocha's record is built on beating can crushers and that he got knocked cold by some dude. He points out Rocha is only 5'3" and lacks athleticism, making him ripe to be run over by better athletes like Carpenter.

Daniel highlights Carpenter's size, durability, and grappling advantage over the smaller Rocha, who is a former strawweight. He notes that Rocha is a slow starter who often gets beaten up early but comes back. Daniel believes Carpenter's physicality will allow him to dominate the first two rounds and win a decision, though a finish wouldn't surprise him.

Carpenter is expected to showcase his grappling dominance against Rocha, who has shown issues dealing with opponents that take his back and control him from that position. Despite Rocha's impressive 17-1 record, Carpenter should grind out the fight and pick up his eighth win in as many fights.

The MMA Guru picks Lucas Rocha over Clayton Carpenter, citing Rocha's higher activity, finishing ability, and experience. He notes that Carpenter has been out for a while, which may indicate injury issues, and that Rocha is a 'dog' with more savagery and switch-hitting ability. He also mentions that shorter flyweights are hard to hold down, which could neutralize Carpenter's technical grappling.

Zane thinks Carpenter will whip Rocha, comparing him to Francis Marshall as a wild, all-offense fighter with no breaks. He notes Rocha got lucky against a glass cannon on the Contender Series and lacks athleticism. Zane believes Carpenter's strength and athleticism will overwhelm Rocha, who seems untrained and self-taught.