Victor Altamirano

Angelo picks Victor Altamirano as an underdog. He notes that Victor has been competitive in all his losses and has better wrestling. Daniel Bárez is returning after a year away and can be reckless chasing submissions, which could lead to losing positions. Angelo believes Victor's slickness and overall wrestling give him the edge.

Big Brady picks Victor Altamirano by third-round submission, expecting Bárez to win the first round but fade due to poor cardio. He notes Bárez has a kill-or-be-killed style and empties his tank early, while Altamirano has a great chin and BJJ black belt. He believes Altamirano will weather the storm and finish Bárez late.

Cody leans towards Altamirano due to his durability and pace. He notes that Bárez is a 35-year-old flyweight who gasses after the first round. Altamirano can take a punch and push a pace, potentially taking over in later rounds. However, he acknowledges Bárez's power and early threat.

Connor agrees, picking Altamirano as well. He notes that Bárez will look good early, kicking Altamirano's spleen out, but Altamirano's innate toughness and scrappiness will carry him through. Connor likes Altamirano as a self-taught fighter who overperforms.

Daniel Vreeland picks Daniel Bárez to win. He thinks Bárez is the better boxer in the pocket with more power, and that Altamirano's unorthodox style may not work as well. He notes Bárez's cardio and toughness, and that Altamirano has slowed in recent fights. He likes Bárez at plus money.

JP picks Victor Altamirano because he doesn't like that Daniel Bárez lost on the Contender Series and then got signed anyway. He notes Altamirano has UFC experience and has lost to tough opponents like Tim Elliott and Felipe dos Santos. He says the lines are close and he won't put money on it.

Paul picks Bárez, expecting him to do more damage in the first two rounds and hold on for a decision. He notes Bárez's power and submission threat, but acknowledges Altamirano's durability. He doesn't plan to bet heavily but leans Bárez.

The MMA Guru picks Victor Altamirano over Daniel Bárez, noting Bárez's age (35) and his history of beating low-level competition. He believes Altamirano is more proven at UFC level and will land better shots. He also mentions Altamirano's reach advantage and Bárez's poor takedown control.

Angelo picks Felipe dos Santos as the more dangerous fighter, citing his shootboxing style and aggression. He notes that both fighters are tough and coming off tough losses, but dos Santos' danger gives him the edge. He also mentions hoping for an over 1.5 rounds line.

Big Brady picks Felipe dos Santos to win by decision, but notes the line is too high at -275. He acknowledges dos Santos looked good in his debut against Manel Kape but has red flags in his film, including poor takedown defense and get-up game. He thinks Altamirano can wrestle a bit but doesn't have much control, so the fight will play out on the feet where dos Santos has volume and variety. He also mentions that dos Santos is a Shooto Box guy arriving late to Mexico City, which is a concern.

Cody picks dos Santos by submission at +600, having bet that prop. He notes dos Santos has a bunch of submission wins on the regional scene and Altamirano's takedown defense is suspect. He thinks dos Santos can exploit that and find a submission. He also mentions Altamirano has never been knocked out but has been submitted.

The host sees both fighters as similar but gives the edge to dos Santos due to his more aggressive approach. He expects dos Santos to utilize either a grapple-heavy or volume-heavy striking game with kicks and punches from distance to grind out a decision win.

Angelo picks Elliott, citing his pressure, volume, and grappling. He thinks Altamirano's takedown defense is improving but still not good enough. Elliott's ability to keep coming forward and secure takedowns will be the difference. Angelo is confident Elliott gets it done.

Cody picks Elliott but with reservations. He highlights Elliott's wrestling as his best weapon, but worries that Elliott's stated intention to slug it out could backfire. Cody notes Altamirano's durability and speed, and that Elliott's best performances come when he has personal animosity (like against Espinoza). He thinks the under is an interesting play but is not confident in Elliott's game plan.

Connor picks Elliott, agreeing it's a levels fight. He notes that Altamirano's striking is poor and his grappling is functional but not dangerous. Connor believes Elliott's experience and scrambling ability will be too much, even if Elliott is emotionally affected by his divorce.

Daniel leans Tim Elliott in a three-round fight, citing Elliott's experience and the fact that Altamirano is a slow starter. He notes that if it were five rounds, he'd pick Altamirano, but in three rounds Elliott's early pressure and wrestling should carry him. He acknowledges the outside drama but doesn't think it affects the fight.

Jacob picks Elliott, believing he does everything a little better than Altamirano. He notes Elliott's gas tank and ability to outwork opponents. Jacob is concerned about Altamirano's power but thinks Elliott's wrestling and pressure will prevail. He also mentions Elliott's emotional state could be a factor but still picks him.

Elliott has personal motivation and a grappling-heavy style that will exploit Altamirano's questionable takedown defense. Altamirano has a good kicking game but struggles in the smaller cage. Elliott will land multiple takedowns, control positions, and win a decision.

Paul picks Tim Elliott but is not confident. He notes Elliott's wrestling advantage and Altamirano's suspect takedown defense. However, Elliott's recent comments about seeking a KO and doing wild stuff raise concerns about game plan discipline. Paul also mentions Elliott's age (38) and personal issues. He thinks the under 2.5 rounds at +215 is interesting due to narrative, but he's not fully sold on Elliott's approach.

The MMA Guru picks Tim Elliott, noting he has a win over Tagir Ulanbekov and has fought the best in the flyweight division, including competitive decisions with top fighters. He criticizes Victor Altamirano for being technically not good, though dangerous with crazy shots. He expects Elliott to outpoint and frustrate Altamirano to a 29-28 decision win.

Angelo picks Altamirano, citing his speed, power, and patience. He notes that Salvador is a high-volume striker with poor defense, and that Altamirano can work in offensive wrestling. He thinks Altamirano is more of a dog and will come forward, hit less, and use grappling to win.

Big Brady picks Vinicius Salvador by first-round knockout, citing his power and 100% finish rate. He notes Salvador's improvements since his Contender Series appearance, where he looked much better against Shannon Ross. Brady acknowledges Altamirano's grappling threat but believes Salvador's dangerous striking will prevail early. He calls it a close fight but favors Salvador's explosiveness.

Cody leans Salvador, citing his power, speed, and striking accuracy. He notes Altamirano is hittable and has cardio but may be outgunned. He worries about Salvador's cardio and takedown defense but thinks Salvador can land a KO early. He calls it a 50/50 fight and suggests a live bet on Altamirano if Salvador doesn't finish early.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Salvador. He describes Altamorano as a very awkward, hittable fighter with a weird style that won't survive against most flyweights. Salvador looks like a real flyweight with potency, while Altamorano is a not-very-athletic guy who has put in weird work. Connor thinks Salvador will maintain the pocket and find Altamorano right in front of him, unable to throw power shots back.

Jacob picks Salvador, noting his power, volume, and confidence. He thinks Altamirano will brawl, which plays into Salvador's hands. He warns that Altamirano needs to get takedowns early, but if he doesn't, he is in trouble. He believes Salvador is longer and quicker and will get the job done.

The host leans with Salvador, believing his technical defense is slightly better and he will land unorthodox strikes. He likes the over 1.5 rounds prop, expecting both fighters to throw a lot but not land finishing power early. He predicts Salvador wins by decision.

The Guru picks Salvador, citing his youth and finishing potential. He notes that Altamirano has been dropped before and that Salvador's power could be decisive. He acknowledges it's a close fight but trusts Salvador's ability to bounce back if hurt.

Angelo picks Daniel Lacerda (da Silva) over Victor Altamirano. He calls it a razor-thin fight that should be a pick'em. He notes that both are solid strikers with okay wrestling and good BJJ, but believes Lacerda is the better striker and more dangerous fighter. He acknowledges Altamirano's takedown defense isn't great but he sweeps well. Angelo is concerned about Lacerda's poor wrestling but thinks he can still get it done. He admits he doesn't love the pick but is going with the underdog due to Lacerda's danger.

Big Brady sees this as a tricky fight. He notes that Daniel Lacerda (da Silva) is dangerous early with a 100% finish rate but fades badly if the fight extends, as seen in his loss to Jeff Molina. Victor Altamirano has terrible takedown defense but is durable and has cardio. Brady expects Lacerda to look good early but fade, with Altamirano taking over and finishing by submission in the second or third round. He is hesitant because Lacerda could win the first round if he lands early.

Cody picks Altamirano, emphasizing his Mexican toughness and durability. He notes Lacerda's cardio issues and thinks Altamirano can break him down. He likes the under 12.5 minutes as it covers both fighters' finishing potential.

Daniel Levi picks Victor Altamirano to win a decision. He notes that Daniel Lacerda is hell on wheels early but fades, and in the elevation, Lacerda will gas even faster. Levi believes Altamirano's Mexican heart and long strikes will take over in the second and third rounds. He acknowledges that Lacerda could get an early finish, but if he doesn't, Altamirano wins.

Victor Altamirano is the lock of the night play with 4 units at -168. He expects Altamirano to survive early trouble from Lacerda's takedowns and jiu-jitsu, then take over as Lacerda's cardio fades after the first few minutes. Altamirano's striking advantage and ability to create scrambles should lead to a finish in the second or third round. He also took 2 units on under 2.5 rounds at -165 as a hedge.

Paul picks Altamirano, citing his durability and cardio advantage. He notes Lacerda's explosive style but poor cardio. He likes the under 12.5 minutes on Prize Picks and thinks Altamirano can weather the early storm and take over.