Gabriel Santos

Big Brady is a big fan of Gabriel Santos, believing he is much better than his 1-2 UFC record indicates. He notes Santos's well-rounded skills, power, and BJJ black belt. He thinks Santos has a significant grappling advantage over Jack Jenkins, who was taken down and controlled by Jamal Emmers. Brady predicts Santos will win a decision, possibly with a submission.

Angelo picks Yi Zha as an underdog because he is a powerful grappler who averages almost five takedowns per fight and is always looking for submissions. He believes Yi can find success even if Gabriel Santos gets the first takedown, and that Yi's grappling is good enough to stay safe and make something happen. He notes that Yi is plus 214 and may have value in prop bets like plus 3.5 rounds or win inside distance.

Big Brady picks Gabriel Santos to win by decision. He is very high on Santos despite his 0-2 UFC record, believing he was robbed against Murphy. Brady thinks Santos is better everywhere: better striker, and his BJJ black belt should neutralize Yi Zha's grappling. He notes Yi Zha's record is misleading and that Santos is much better than his record indicates.

Cody agrees with Paul, citing Santos' strong wrestling and striking. He notes Zha's takedown defense is poor and Santos has fought tougher competition. He expects Santos to neutralize Zha and win a decision or get a finish.

Daniel is a big fan of Santos's exciting style but acknowledges his defensive flaws. He criticizes Yi Zha's padded record and boring wrestling style. He thinks Santos's volume, pressure, and activity off his back will overwhelm Zha, and that Zha's takedowns won't be enough to win. He expects Santos to get his first UFC win.

Santos is the better mixed martial artist despite being 0-2 in the UFC. He has slick BJJ and striking, and should be able to handle Yi Zha's pressure and wrestling. Yi Zha is aggressive but leaves openings. Santos can reverse positions and win on the feet. The under 2.5 rounds at plus money is also favored due to both fighters' pace.

Paul picks Santos, noting his wrestling and striking are superior to Zha's. He believes Santos can take Zha down and control him, and has a better plan B if the wrestling fails. He acknowledges Santos' cardio concerns but thinks he can win two of three rounds.

Angelo picks Gabriel Santos, citing his aggression and ability to back Onama up and grind him down like Nate Landwehr did. He notes Santos is fast, strong, and has slick submissions. He mentions David Onama is a great underdog at +195/+200 and hits hard, but Santos gets hit. He would bet the over 1.5 rounds if available.

Big Brady picks Gabriel Santos, impressed by his performance against Lerone Murphy despite the loss. He describes Santos as a killer with next-level grappling and dangerous striking, comparing him to Charles Oliveira. He notes Onama's poor performance against Nate Landwehr where he gassed out. He expects Santos to weather an early storm and finish Onama in the second round, possibly by submission.

Cody picks Santos, emphasizing his explosive style and wrestling. He notes Santos's ability to take down and control opponents, and thinks Onama's striking will be neutralized by Santos's pressure and takedowns. He expects Santos by decision.

Connor picks Santos, agreeing with Zane. He highlights Santos's impressive debut against Laron Murphy on short notice and his superior technique. Onama is reactive and lacks discipline, while Santos is a solid professional who will take advantage of Onama's mistakes. Connor notes that Onama's best wins are against lesser competition and that he struggles against disciplined fighters.

Daniel Levi picks Gabriel Santos, citing his technical soundness, heart, and grappling upside. He thinks Onama is athletic but defensively vulnerable, and Santos can win on feet or mat. He notes Santos's close fight with Lerone Murphy and his LFA title. He is not interested at -230 but picks Santos.

The host picks Gabriel Santos to win by submission in the second or third round. He believes Santos is the far superior fighter with great aggression, forward pressure, and a solid Jiu-Jitsu game. He thinks Santos will wear on Onama and eventually get him out of there, while Onama's only path to victory is a Hail Mary knockout. He expects Santos to dominate.

Paul picks Santos, impressed by his debut performance against Lauren Murphy on short notice. He highlights Santos's takedowns and grappling, and questions Onama's takedown defense. He expects Santos to win by decision and considers betting Santos by decision.

The Guru picks Gabriel Santos based on his performance against Lerone Murphy, which he believes Santos arguably won. He notes Santos has a good chin, took the Murphy fight on short notice, and showed grit. He criticizes Onama's cardio, saying he falls off after the first round, and points to Onama's losses to Mason Jones and Nate Landwehr as evidence. He predicts Santos wins by third-round finish or decision.

Angelo thinks Murphy should win because he is the better striker with good footwork and power, and he has a full camp. However, he is wary of Murphy's layoff and the short-notice opponent. He notes Murphy's takedown defense is low but he scrambles well. He is staying away from betting due to the uncertainty.

Big Brady picks Murphy, citing his power (knockout wins over Makwan Amirkhani and Ricardo Ramos) and Santos' hittability and questionable durability. He notes Santos is dangerous everywhere but took the fight on short notice and is making a long flight. He predicts a second-round knockout, but acknowledges Santos could have success early.

Cody picks Murphy, citing his precise striking, lateral movement, and high ring IQ. He notes Murphy has fought good wrestlers and defended takedowns well. He thinks Santos, on short notice, won't be able to take Murphy down and will lose a decision. He mentions Murphy's 16-month layoff is a concern but believes he's still a good fighter.

Connor picks Murphy but expects a close fight. He notes that Murphy starts slow but is resourceful and has great cardio, often coming back to win. Santos is a solid, well-rounded fighter but may run out of ideas as the fight goes on. Connor also mentions the short-notice factor favoring Murphy.

Jacob picks Murphy but with low confidence due to his defensive wrestling holes. He thinks Murphy is the better striker but if Santos gets the fight to the ground, it could be trouble. He notes Murphy's takedown defense has been improving. He is not betting but would feel better if Murphy stuffs the first takedown.

Murphy is explosive with big power and a good calf kick, but has grappling flaws and a layoff due to head injury. Santos is a short-notice replacement with a wild pressure style and defensive holes. Murphy's speed and power should exploit Santos's striking deficiencies, leading to a knockout. The fight doesn't go to decision is the favorite spot.

Paul picks Murphy but hesitantly, as he hasn't done full research on Santos. He says Murphy is a solid fighter on a good run, but the layoff and short-notice opponent are unknowns. He says the pick is Murphy but could change after looking at tape.

The MMA Guru picks Lerone Murphy over Gabriel Santos, acknowledging Santos is a dangerous prospect but noting he is on short notice. Murphy has a full camp and has shown composure against tough opponents like Zubaira Tukhugov. He predicts Murphy will win a 29-28 decision after a rough first round, trusting his experience and well-rounded game.