Sam Hughes

Angelo picks Piera Rodríguez but is hesitant. He thinks Rodríguez's takedowns will be the key, as Sam Hughes's takedown defense has not been great. However, he warns that Las Vegas judges may not value wrestling, and if Hughes is busier on the feet, she could get the decision. He would not bet Rodríguez and prefers Hughes as a dog.

Big Brady picks Piera Rodríguez to win by decision, citing her improved cardio and wrestling since their first fight. He notes her elite takedown numbers (4.5 per 15 minutes, 54% accuracy) and believes she will mix in takedowns and control the fight. He sees the rematch playing out similarly to the first, with Rodríguez winning rounds 1 and 2 and possibly not slowing down in round 3.

Cody picks Hughes as a dog, citing her toughness, scrambling, and striking advantage. He notes Rodríguez's takedowns don't lead to control. He thinks Hughes can outwork her and win a decision.

Connor also picks Rodríguez, emphasizing that she was consistently ahead in the first fight and has the speed and technical edge. He notes that Hughes's wins come against inexperienced fighters, while Rodríguez is more well-rounded. He sees the rematch as unnecessary but expects a similar outcome.

James picks Sam Hughes as an underdog, expecting a close decision. He notes Hughes' improved takedown defense and cardio, and believes she can win by outworking Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's grappling advantage but thinks Hughes can edge a split decision.

The host believes Sam Hughes has improved since their first fight, particularly in strength and conditioning, and that her pressure and volume will be key. He notes that Hughes has better takedown defense now and can get back to her feet quickly, negating Rodriguez's clinch advantage. He expects Hughes to outdamage Rodriguez and win a decision, citing that rematches often play out differently and Hughes is the one who has improved more.

Paul leans Rodríguez, citing her wrestling and previous win over Hughes. He thinks she can get takedowns and control. He acknowledges it's close but favors the wrestler.

The Guru picks Piera Rodríguez to win the rematch, believing she will improve her striking and that her grappling will be more recognized by the judges this time. He notes that in the first fight, Rodríguez outgrappled Hughes but lost due to striking, and he thinks Rodríguez's youth gives her more room to improve. He predicts a split decision or 29-28.

Angelo is extremely confident in Sam Hughes, calling her his most confident pick on the entire card. He criticizes Shauna Bannon's unorthodox and ineffective striking style, describing her as having low fight IQ and a 'weirdo fight style.' He believes Hughes' relentless pressure, cardio, and grinding ability will overwhelm Bannon, leading to takedowns and forward pressure. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -320 and expects it to go even higher. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds as a prop.

Big Brady picks Sam Hughes, noting she is a favorite for the first time in her UFC career. He believes this is her easiest fight yet, citing her pressure, cardio, and pace. He mentions she can mix in grappling but is not willing to bet at -310. He predicts a decision win.

The host believes Sam Hughes is a great matchup to expose Shauna Bannon as not a UFC-level talent. He expects Hughes to control the fight from the start with her pressure striking or takedowns and top control, grinding out a decision win.

Angelo picks Stephanie Luciano over Sam Hughes. He believes Luciano is better everywhere—striking, wrestling, and cardio. He notes that Hughes is a pressure fighter but Luciano won't fade early. He also mentions the plus 3.5 round line as a potential value bet on Hughes.

Big Brady picks Stephanie Luciano, noting her excellent cardio and output, which should allow her to maintain pace for all 15 minutes. He observes that Sam Hughes' wins come against opponents who slow down after the first 7-8 minutes, but Luciano won't fade. Brady thinks if Luciano can stuff takedowns, she will pick Hughes apart on the feet. He predicts a decision win but does not like the -225 price.

Cody picks Yur Medeiros, but with low confidence due to his volatile style and durability issues. He notes that Medeiros is a finisher but has been knocked out. He prefers the under on the fight, expecting a finish. He considers Gilbert Urbina as a dog play because of the high line.

Daniel does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup briefly but does not state a preference or bet.

The host believes Luciano's striking advantage will prove decisive, though the fight might be closer than odds indicate. He expects Luciano to land more damage and win on the scorecards.

Paul picks Gilbert Urbina as a dog, citing Medeiros's inconsistency and durability issues. He notes that Urbina has a reach advantage and has been off for a while, possibly making improvements. He believes the line is too high and that Urbina has a chance to win, especially if he can avoid early knockout.

Angelo picks Dudakova but is hesitant because the odds are too high for a close fight. He thinks Dudakova is the better fighter skill-for-skill and expects her to wrestle early, but warns that if she lets Hughes pressure, she could have a tough night. He advises against betting the moneyline and recommends the over 2.5 rounds.

Big Brady acknowledges Sam Hughes is a live dog but thinks Dudakova can go the full 15 minutes without gassing. He notes Hughes has poor takedown defense and striking defense, while Dudakova should do enough to win a close decision. He mentions Dudakova's last poor performance was due to a staph infection on her ass, which should not be a factor this time.

Cody picks Sam Hughes, citing Dudakova's poor performances, weight miss, and medical issues. He notes that Dudakova has low volume and overrated wrestling, while Hughes has faced better competition and is constantly in your face. Cody thinks Hughes can outwork Dudakova and win a decision. He also mentions that Hughes is always an underdog and fights to the last minute.

Daniel leans towards Dudakova, citing her reach advantage, youth, and takedown ability against Hughes' poor takedown defense. He acknowledges Hughes' higher pace but thinks Dudakova can seal rounds with takedowns and win a close decision. He is not fully confident due to Dudakova's greenness.

Hughes is a live underdog if not at a huge physical disadvantage. She should put on a pace and grind out Dudakova, winning at least two rounds on the scorecards.

Paul picks Sam Hughes, noting that Dudakova has not impressed and has had weight issues. He thinks Hughes can make the fight ugly and grind out a decision. Paul also mentions that Hughes is underrated and always gives 100% effort. He believes the line is too wide and that Hughes has a good chance to win.

Angelo is very confident in Jauregui, believing the UFC set this up for her to get back on track. He notes her striking and grappling are impressive, and while she was knocked out quickly in her last fight, Sam Hughes doesn't hit as hard. He trusts the process.

Big Brady picks Yazmin Jauregui to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Jauregui is the biggest favorite on the card at -500 and that the matchup is favorable. He praises Jauregui's takedown defense and striking, while criticizing Sam Hughes's hittability and toughness. He thinks Jauregui will dominate on the feet and potentially finish Hughes, though he questions Jauregui's chin after being dropped in her last two fights.

Cody picks Jauregui but is hesitant, calling it the coward's way out. He notes Jauregui's durability is a question mark after being knocked out by Denise Gomes, but her takedown defense held against Lendo. He thinks Jauregui has a massive advantage on the feet and is more interested in live betting.

The host believes Hughes will be the best wrestler Jauregui has faced, despite Jauregui's 100% takedown defense rate (only two attempts faced). He thinks Hughes's improvement at Fortis MMA and game planning will allow her to take the fight into deep waters and win on the scorecards, springing a massive upset.

Angelo sees Jaqueline Amorim as the clear winner due to her undefeated record, all stoppage wins, and superior grappling with blast double takedowns and a wild array of submissions. He notes she also has legitimate one-punch power. However, he is cautious about betting because Sam Hughes is extremely tough and has UFC experience, which could lead to a fade if Amorim doesn't finish early. He suggests an under 2.5 rounds play might be the way to go.

Big Brady is confident in Jaqueline Amorim due to her elite BJJ credentials and six first-round finishes. He notes that Sam Hughes has poor takedown defense (47%) and has been taken down multiple times by previous opponents. He believes once Amorim gets the fight to the mat, it will be over quickly via submission. He predicts a first-round submission.

Cody picks Amorim but is slightly hesitant due to the price. He notes Amorim's submission skills are elite and that she finishes fights quickly. He points out Hughes' poor takedown defense and believes Amorim will get the fight to the ground and submit her. Cody says he won't parlay her but thinks she wins. He mentions the under on the fight time as a potential play.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Hughes. He notes that Amorim is a great prospect but very raw, and Hughes has shown she can break opponents who expect to win quickly.

Jacob agrees that Amorim should dominate, highlighting her methodical takedown timing and excellent top control. He notes that Sam Hughes's toughness may actually work against her because she scrambles to get back to her feet, which opens up submission opportunities for Amorim. He is concerned about Amorim's cardio if the fight goes past the first round, but believes she is good enough to get the job done early.

Amorim is a BJJ black belt with all six wins by first-round finish. Her grappling should overwhelm Hughes, who has good cardio but may struggle to stop takedowns. The line at -230 is too wide for a debutant, but Amorim's submission threat is real. I expect her to lock up a submission after getting the fight to the ground.

Paul picks Amorim, believing her BJJ is elite and that she will take Hughes down and submit her. He notes Hughes has poor takedown defense and has been taken down by many opponents. Paul thinks Amorim's grappling is a level above and that she will progressively improve position. He acknowledges Amorim's striking is unproven but expects her to get the fight to the ground quickly. He suggests live betting Hughes if the fight goes past the first round.

The MMA Guru predicts Jaqueline Amorim will win by first-round submission via rear-naked choke. He envisions a scramble early on where Amorim gets Hughes against the cage, executes an inside or outside trip to get on top in half guard, then takes the back as Hughes scrambles and sinks in the choke. He is confident in this outcome, describing the sequence in detail.

Angelo picks Piera Rodríguez, believing she is the more talented fighter with a higher ceiling. He notes that Sam Hughes has evolved into a grappler and needs takedowns to win, but Piera has good takedown defense and inflicts damage in scrambles. He calls it a no-bet situation because Sam is live, but he might bet Sam Hughes by decision (+3.5 points) if the odds drop.

Big Brady picks Piera Rodríguez to win by decision. He highlights Rodríguez's improved grappling and powerful striking, and notes that Sam Hughes has poor striking defense and takedown defense. He believes Rodríguez is a bad stylistic matchup for Hughes, who relies on grinding but will struggle to get takedowns. Brady expects a competitive fight but sees Rodríguez winning clearly on the feet and possibly with takedowns.

Cody picks Rodríguez, citing her striking advantage and takedown defense. He notes Hughes has been winning with wrestling against weak opposition, but Rodríguez should be able to keep the fight standing and out-strike her. He is hesitant due to Rodríguez's cardio concerns.

Rodríguez is the better striker with power and leg kicks, and her wrestling is on par with Hughes. Hughes relies on pressure and wrestling, but Rodríguez should be able to stuff takedowns and win the striking exchanges. The host expects a decision win for Rodríguez and likes the decision prop at +105. However, the odds are slightly wide, and Hughes could be live.

Paul picks Rodríguez but is hesitant. He notes Rodríguez has good takedown defense and a striking advantage, but her cardio and ground game are question marks. He thinks Hughes could tire her out with wrestling, but ultimately Rodríguez should win.

Angelo picks Sam Hughes based on her grappling performance in her last fight, where she showcased takedowns and control time. He notes that Elise Reed was taken down four times in two fights, making the takedown the difference. However, he acknowledges it's a close fight and that Elise Reed is better than people think. He is hesitant because both women are coming off career-saving wins.

Big Brady picks Elise Reed because she is the better striker with improved takedown defense. He notes Sam Hughes is a walking punching bag with poor striking defense, and Reed should win on the feet. He predicts a decision win for Reed but says he is not betting on this fight.

Cody picks Reed confidently, citing her superior striking, footwork, and cardio. He notes Hughes' lack of offense and tendency to rely on opponents gassing. He believes Reed will outpoint Hughes from range and avoid takedowns, winning a decision.

The host picks Sam Hughes as his free pick of the night at +145. He believes Hughes's path to victory involves grappling, either takedowns or control time against the cage. He expects Hughes to implement her grappling and grind out a win. He is confident enough to bet one unit on her.

Paul agrees with Cody, saying Reed's kicking game and cardio should be too much for Hughes. He notes Hughes' only win came against a gassed opponent and that Reed won't tire. He is confident in Reed.

Angelo picks Istela Nunes, expecting a three-round decision win. He notes that Nunes has cleaner striking with speed and power, while Sam Hughes is hittable and has not taken anyone down in the UFC. He references Nunes's last fight where she won striking exchanges but lost due to takedowns, but believes Hughes cannot take her down.

Big Brady picks Istela Nunes to win by decision. He notes Nunes has good striking and improved takedown defense, while Hughes is 0-3 in the UFC with poor striking defense (49%) and no takedowns landed. He expects the fight to stay standing, where Nunes will outclass Hughes. He calls it a winnable fight for Nunes but says he doesn't overly want anything to do with it.

Cody picks Nunes, noting her striking advantage and Hughes' lack of finishing ability. He thinks Nunes can win on the feet and avoid takedowns. He calls it a good spot for Nunes.

Daniel Levi leans Istela Nunes based on aggression and forward pressure, noting Hughes is hesitant and seems to lack confidence. He acknowledges Nunes's win over Karnilosi may be overrated because Karnilosi blocks punches with her face, but believes Nunes's willingness to engage will sway judges. He is not willing to lay -225 but picks Nunes to win.

Paul picks Nunes, citing her striking and physicality. He notes Hughes' poor performances and thinks Nunes can piece her up. He acknowledges cardio concerns but believes Nunes can win the first two rounds.

Angelo picks Luana Pinheiro, citing her power striking, solid takedowns, and BJJ. He notes Sam Hughes is tough but hittable with a negative striking differential, and that Luana's grappling will be the difference. He expects a decision win rather than a finish, as Luana doesn't have one-punch KO power. He mentions the odds are probably correct at -290.

Big Brady picks Luana Pinheiro to win by first-round finish. He notes Pinheiro's phenomenal judo and ability to get the fight to the mat, but also highlights her gas tank issues as she hasn't seen the second round in over seven fights. He believes Sam Hughes' 44% takedown defense is a major hole and that Pinheiro will exploit it early. However, he warns that if Hughes survives the first round, the fight could get sketchy for Pinheiro.

Cody picks Pinheiro but is concerned about her cardio. He notes that all her wins are first-round finishes and she lost a decision when the fight went past the first round. However, he believes her judo and grappling are superior to Hughes's. He thinks Pinheiro will likely finish Hughes early, but if it goes longer, she may fade. He recommends betting Pinheiro inside the distance at plus money to mitigate the cardio risk.

Daniel Levi picks Luana Pinheiro to win by armbar. He notes her judo throws and power, but worries about her panic when fights go past the first round. He criticizes Sam Hughes for being hesitant and timid, and believes Pinheiro will build a 10-8 round early and cruise to victory. He expects a submission finish.

Lock likes Sam Hughes as a plus money underdog. He believes Pinheiro has a terrible gas tank and will fade if she doesn't finish early. Hughes is gritty and durable, and Lock thinks she can push a pace that exposes Pinheiro's cardio. He also notes that Hughes won a round off Loma Lookboonmee, showing she can compete. Lock took a half unit on Hughes moneyline and also sprinkled round props.

Paul picks Pinheiro confidently. He dismisses the controversy around her last fight, stating she looked dominant before the illegal kick. He believes her judo is upper echelon and she will easily take Hughes down. He notes that Hughes has been dominated on the ground by Lookboonmee and finished by Tisha Torres. Paul thinks Pinheiro is a real prospect and Hughes is a card filler.

Big Brady picks Loma Lookboonmee to win by decision. He highlights Loma's dangerous clinch work with elbows and knees, and notes that Sam Hughes is very hittable and invites the clinch, which plays into Loma's strengths. Brady acknowledges Loma's size disadvantage but believes her striking is levels above Hughes. He mentions that Hughes needs takedowns to win, but Loma's takedown defense and get-up game are improving.

Cody is confident in Loma Lookboonmee, noting her extensive Muay Thai experience and excellent clinch game. He points out that she was competitive against Angela Hill, which counts for something. He thinks Sam Hughes looked amateurish in her debut against Tecia Torres and showed a lack of heart when she quit due to a cut. He believes Loma has the advantage in striking and clinch, and even if Hughes takes her down, she won't do it for 15 minutes. However, he dislikes the -375 price and would normally bet Loma by decision, but worries about a cut stoppage.

Daniel Levi picks Loma Lookboonmee to win, emphasizing her technical Muay Thai and the fact that Sam Hughes does not belong at this level. He notes that Hughes was finished quickly by Tecia Torres and submitted by Vanessa Demopoulos, while Lookboonmee has shown promise against tougher competition. Levi believes Lookboonmee will dominate on the feet.

The host picks Loma Lookboonmee by decision, citing her superior Muay Thai striking and clinch work. He notes that Sam Hughes is still green and that Loma has been working on her takedown defense and strength. He expects Loma to dominate on the feet and win a clear decision.

Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Loma is a Thai fighter with tons of experience and a good clinch. He mentions that Sam Hughes quit in her debut and has a history of blowing leads. He thinks Loma's striking and clinch will be too much, and that Hughes' cardio is suspect. He also notes that Loma has been working on takedown defense. He picks Loma but does not love the price.

Big Brady picks Tecia Torres (Pennington) to win by decision. He cites her massive speed and volume advantage, and notes that Hughes is a big step up in competition. He mentions Torres' recent win over Brianna Van Buren and her losses to top competition.

Daniel expects Tecia to roll, citing her recent impressive performance against Van Buren and her wins over top competition. He thinks Sam Hughes is taking a massive step up and will lose a decision.