Toshiomi Kazama

Angelo is very confident in Elijah Smith, calling him a good grappler with fast hands and solid power. He notes Toshiomi Kazama is a BJJ nerd with a questionable chin. Angelo thinks Smith will run through Kazama, as this is a tune-up fight for the prospect. He acknowledges the -500 odds are high but trusts Smith.

Big Brady is very confident in Elijah Smith, calling him a well-rounded fighter with a massive striking advantage over Kazama, whom he considers the worst striker in the division. He notes Smith's cardio has improved and he can grapple as well. Brady believes Smith will knock out Kazama early, predicting a first-round knockout.

The host acknowledges Kazama's high-level BJJ but believes he struggles to get fights to the ground and will struggle even more against Smith. He expects Smith to use good movement, speed, and striking to line up a big knockout victory.

Angelo is confident in Grigoriou because Kazama is a grapple-first fighter who has failed to get his grappling going in the UFC, is chinny on the feet, and has back-to-back first-round TKO losses. Grigoriou has powerful leg kicks, solid grappling, and is being set up for success. This is one of Angelo's more confident picks on the card.

Cody agrees with Paul, emphasizing Kazama's poor chin and Grigoriou's striking advantage. He notes Grigoriou's counter-grappling ability from training with high-level grapplers, and that Kazama's submission threats are unlikely to succeed. Cody expects a knockout.

Grigoriou has a clear striking advantage and should be able to touch up Kazama, who has been knocked out in his last two fights. However, Kazama is dangerous on the ground and could pull guard or find a submission. This is the least confident pick on the card, and the minus 220 price is not recommended.

Paul picks Grigoriou despite the high price, citing Kazama's weak chin and one-dimensional grappling. He notes Grigoriou trains at Ray Longo's gym with better partners, has knockout power, and should win by KO. He took Grigoriou by inside the distance at minus 105.

Angelo sees Armfield as more well-rounded but notes that he often fights to his opponent's style instead of imposing his own. He acknowledges Kazama's slick BJJ and chin issues, but leans toward Armfield due to his technical striking and takedown defense. He is not betting on this fight, just watching.

Big Brady notes that Garrett Armfield has struggled with wrestlers and grapplers in his losses, being submitted twice. He sees Toshiomi Kazama as a dangerous grappler who can take the fight to the mat and submit Armfield. He also mentions the long flight to Singapore as a potential disadvantage for Armfield. He forgives Kazama for his quick loss to Rinya Nakamura and believes this is a winnable fight for him.

Cody picks Armfield, citing his well-rounded skills and training at Kill Cliff FC. He notes Kazama's chinny history and one-dimensional grappling. Cody expects Armfield to improve after moving to his natural weight class and training with top partners.

Daniel picks Garrett Armfield, noting that he is faster, more accurate, and more technically sound. He mentions that Kazama has a terrible chin and is a one-trick pony with submissions. He is confident Armfield can keep the fight standing and win by striking. He bet 2 units at -147 and is confident in the pick, though he acknowledges the submission threat.

James picks Garrett Armfield as the better all-around MMA fighter. He believes Armfield is the superior striker and that Kazama's wrestling is not good enough to take Armfield down consistently. He notes Kazama's Jiu-Jitsu is a lower-percentage path from the bottom, and Armfield should be able to avoid submissions and win on the feet.

The host describes Kazama as a BJJ black belt with poor striking who relies on pulling guard and sweeps. He believes Armfield will use his wrestling defensively to keep the fight standing and utilize his speed and striking advantage to damage Kazama. The host expects Armfield to eventually get a knockout due to accumulative damage, noting that Kazama leaves many openings.

Paul picks Kazama as an underdog, citing the Asian fighter advantage in Singapore and jet lag concerns for Armfield. He notes Kazama's submission skills but acknowledges his poor chin. Paul is not confident but likes the value.

Big Brady is high on Nakamura's world-class wrestling and knockout power. He thinks Kazama will struggle to take down a wrestler of Nakamura's caliber and will be knocked out early. He predicts a first-round knockout.

Cody picks Nakamura inside the distance, calling him the best prospect on the card. He notes Nakamura's world-class wrestling pedigree and finishing ability. He expects Nakamura to take Kazama down and finish, possibly by submission. He also considers a small sprinkle on Nakamura by submission at +800.

Connor agrees, noting that Kazama's insistence on wrestling will play into Nakamura's strengths. He points out that Kazama's bag of tricks may not work against a superior athlete, and that Nakamura has shown rapid improvement. He sees this as a winnable matchup for Nakamura to showcase his development.

Paul picks Nakamura inside the distance, emphasizing his wrestling background and MMA upbringing. He notes Nakamura's ability to strike or grapple, and expects him to knock out Kazama. He thinks Kazama's guard-pulling style will not work against Nakamura's physicality.