Julian Marquez

Angelo picks Cody Brundage, citing his wrestling background, power, and the fact that Julian Marquez is coming off back-to-back knockout losses with a year layoff. He acknowledges Brundage's questionable fight IQ but believes he is a good fighter overall. He also notes that both fighters are exciting and expects the fight to end early.

Big Brady hesitantly picks Julian Marquez, citing his durability and heart, as well as a slick submission game. He notes Cody Brundage is more skilled but has a bad nail and may quit if hurt. He predicts Marquez will win by first-round submission after Brundage gets hurt and shoots for a takedown.

Connor picks Marquez, noting that Brundage has a single idea that quickly exhausts, while Marquez is a willing scrapper who can fight through adversity. He mentions that Marquez has been getting knocked out lately but still has the toughness to outlast Brundage. Connor also jokes about Marquez's personality but sticks with him as the pick.

The host expects a chaotic matchup and suggests the under 1.5 rounds is the best bet. He leans with Marquez, believing his power striking and slick submissions can catch Brundage, who has been hurt repeatedly. However, he notes Brundage could also catch Marquez, who has lost three straight by knockout. He predicts a club-and-sub within the first round and a half.

The Guru picks Cody Brundage over Julian Marquez. He notes Marquez is on a three-fight losing streak, older, and possibly struggling with drinking. Brundage is younger, hungrier, and has finishing potential. He predicts a finish for Brundage.

Angelo leans Zachary Reese, but with low confidence. He notes that Reese is massive for the weight class and has power, but he looked stiff in his last fight and was power bombed. Julian Marquez is tough and dangerous everywhere, but he has been knocked out in his last two fights and has a year layoff. Angelo thinks Reese can weather the early storm and beat a fading Marquez.

Big Brady picks Julian Marquez to win by first-round knockout. He is not sold on Zachary Reese's UFC caliber, noting his poor competition and tendency to end up on bottom. He thinks Marquez is the much better striker and will smoke Reese if his suspicions are correct.

Cody picks Reese as a slight underdog, noting that Marquez has significant health issues and has not looked good in recent fights. Reese is a big, athletic fighter with first-round finishing ability, but his cardio is untested. Cody believes if Reese can survive the first round, Marquez's poor cardio and durability issues will allow Reese to take over. He acknowledges it's a shot in the dark but leans towards Reese.

Daniel picks Marquez based on experience, noting that Reese has never faced real competition and was fraud-checked by Cody Brundage. He acknowledges Marquez has looked terrible since returning from injury but believes his durability and veteran tactics can overcome Reese's size and reach. He calls it a dart throw but leans Marquez.

Jacob picks Julian Marquez, noting that Reese eats right hands and was slammed by Cody Brundage. He thinks Marquez will come forward and land bombs, and Reese's chin is suspect. He also warns that going to the ground with Reese is dangerous due to his length, but Marquez's power should be enough. Jacob is confident Marquez gets the win.

Marquez is a veteran power puncher with a sneaky submission game, while Reese is reckless and was knocked out by a slam in his last fight. This should be a barn burner with both throwing heavy shots. Marquez should finish Reese quickly, making under 1.5 rounds a strong play at -155.

Paul picks Reese, citing Marquez's health issues and inactivity. He notes that Reese is younger, longer, and has more pop in his hands. Paul thinks this will be a sloppy fight and favors the younger fighter with less wear and tear. He expects Reese to have a chance if he can avoid Marquez's early power.

Angelo picks Julian Marquez, citing his toughness, power, and ability to snatch submissions in scrambles. He notes that Marquez hits harder and has proven MMA jiu-jitsu. Angelo believes Marquez will come forward and not quit, while Barriault can fold under pressure.

Big Brady picks Barriault, citing his volume, cardio, and pressure on the feet, as well as the ability to wrestle if needed. He notes Marquez has power and submissions but is less defensively sound. He predicts a decision win for Barriault, acknowledging Marquez's danger.

Cody picks Barriault, believing his volume and clinch work will overwhelm Marquez. He notes Marquez has declined in durability and explosiveness after injuries. He thinks Barriault wins by decision or late finish.

Connor picks Julian Marquez, despite concerns about his recent stylistic changes. He believes Marquez's natural dynamism and ability to fight through chaos will overcome Barriault's more methodical but less dynamic game. Connor notes that Barriault has improved but still lacks the finishing threat and creativity that Marquez possesses, and that Marquez's submission grappling could be a factor.

Jacob is very confident in Julian Marquez, stating that Barriault does not belong in the UFC. He notes Marquez's power, pressure, and no-quit attitude. Jacob believes Marquez will unload on Barriault against the fence and finish him. He also mentions that Marquez may use grappling more in this fight.

Barriault is a solid pressure fighter with good cardio and clinch work. Marquez has finishing power but his only path to victory is a KO, and he has been controlled in the clinch before. Barriault will use forward pressure and volume to win a decision, possibly with late finishing opportunities.

Paul picks Barriault and has a bet on Barriault by decision at +225. He thinks Marquez's wrestling won't be enough and Barriault's volume will carry him to a decision win.

The MMA Guru picks Marc-André Barriault, noting Marquez is wild and coming off a KO loss. He believes Barriault's technical style and ability to grind out decisions against wild opponents will lead to a 29-28 win.

Angelo picks Gregory Rodrigues, noting his well-rounded skills, BJJ black belt, and takedown defense. He acknowledges Julian Marquez's sneaky submissions and toughness but believes Rodrigues will be the better wrestler and grappler. He warns that the fight could look like Rodrigues' loss to Armen Petrosyan if he gets outstruck.

Big Brady picks Gregory Rodrigues to win by decision. He believes Rodrigues has a clear path to victory by taking Marquez down, as Marquez has been controlled by wrestlers before. He notes Rodrigues is a legit BJJ black belt and should mix in takedowns, though he questions if Rodrigues will actually do it. He thinks Rodrigues can also win on the feet but prefers the grappling route.

Cody picks Rodrigues but is hesitant due to short notice and Rodrigues' cardio issues. He thinks Rodrigues is dangerous everywhere and Marquez has health problems and long layoffs. He plans to keep Rodrigues low on his card.

Daniel Levi picks Gregory Rodrigues, stating he is better than Julian Marquez everywhere—cleaner hands, harder punches, black belt jiu-jitsu. However, he worries about Rodrigues' decision-making, chin, and gas tank, noting Marquez has a history of coming back from adversity to finish fights. Levi thinks Rodrigues should dominate but is concerned he might find a way to lose, making the -180 price unappealing. He picks Rodrigues but with low confidence.

Paul agrees with Cody, noting Rodrigues should dominate on the feet and Marquez's best work is in grappling. He's concerned about Rodrigues' short notice and cardio but thinks Marquez's health issues make Rodrigues the pick.

Big Brady picks Marquez to win by decision, despite Marquez having a 100% finish rate. He thinks Marquez will pressure and outpoint Alvey, who has not won in a long time and takes a lot of damage. Brady is not confident in the pick and is passing on betting, as he finds the fight potentially boring and the line not appealing. He notes both fighters are durable and the fight likely goes to decision.

Cody picks Marquez, citing his recovery from ring rust, James Krause's coaching, and Alvey's difficult weight cut to 185. He notes Alvey's low output and lack of offensive wrestling, while Marquez has better timing and power. He expects Marquez to edge it.

Daniel Levi picks Sam Alvey, despite acknowledging that Alvey is a long-term fade and the blueprint to beat him is well-known. He is not sold on Julian Marquez, viewing him as an opportunistic finisher who looked horrendous against Maki Pitolo. Levi thinks the fight could be an ugly middleweight scrap that could go either way, so he goes with Alvey for the first time in years.

The host leans Alvey for the value, noting that Marquez's win over Pitolo was a sloppy fight and that Alvey has decent takedown defense and power. However, he acknowledges that Alvey fights on the back foot and hasn't won in five fights. He picks Alvey by decision, but calls the fight a 'slop fest' and advises against betting it.

Paul leans Alvey, noting his durability and ability to lull opponents into slow fights. He wants to see weigh-ins but thinks Alvey's counter-punching and experience could be factors. He is not confident due to Alvey's losing streak and weight cut.

Big Brady picks Julian Marquez to win by finish, likely knockout in the second round. He thinks Marquez is the better fighter and that Pitolo has looked poor in the UFC, slowing down and being finished multiple times. He notes Marquez has a 100% finish rate and a sneaky ground game. He is concerned about Marquez's long layoff but thinks he will be prepared.

Daniel Levi leans toward Julian Marquez but calls it a 'dog or pass' situation. He notes Marquez's size and power, and that he can wear on Pitolo. However, he worries about Marquez's layoff and cardio, and thinks Pitolo could have improved training with Brad Tavares. He believes if Marquez doesn't finish early, Pitolo's volume and hands could take over. He ultimately says the lean is Marquez but it might be a pass.

The host leans toward Pitolo as an underdog, citing his better technical striking and hand speed. He notes that Marquez has been out for three years and relies on forward pressure and big shots, which Pitolo can counter with movement. He expects Pitolo to outpoint Marquez over three rounds, though he admits some hesitation.