Emily Ducote

Angelo sees Emily Ducote as the better striker with legitimate power and good wrestling defense, while Vanessa Demopoulos relies on volume and footwork but lacks real power. He expects Ducote to win a close decision, likely 29-28, due to her superior striking accuracy and durability. He notes the over 2.5 rounds is a good bet and suggests Vanessa plus 3.5 on the scorecard as a solid bet.

Cody points out Demopoulos has been gifted decisions but is often outlanded and outgrappled. He notes Ducote is a well-rounded fighter with college wrestling, a BJJ black belt, and good striking. Demopoulos's takedown attempts are often unsuccessful, and she struggles with volume. Cody expects Ducote to outland her significantly and win a clear decision.

Demopoulos got a gift decision in her last fight and is not technical with her punches. Ducote has solid all-around skills, throws great leg kicks and clean combinations, and will use her wrestling defensively to keep the fight standing. Expects Ducote to outbox and outstrike Demopoulos on the feet and win on the scorecards.

Paul believes Ducote's wrestling background and superior striking will be too much for Demopoulos. He notes Demopoulos has been on the wrong end of controversial decisions but is often outworked. Ducote should be able to keep the fight standing and outpoint Demopoulos, likely winning a decision.

Angelo picks Emily Ducote confidently, noting she is better than her UFC record suggests and that Ashley Yoder is returning after two years off. He thinks Ducote's volume and durability will be key, but he is not touching the -270 moneyline, hoping the line tightens.

Big Brady picks Emily Ducote to win by decision. He notes Ducote has good takedown defense and is the much better striker. He criticizes Ashley Yoder's long layoff and poor performance against Jinh Yu Frey, and expects Ducote to stuff takedowns and out-strike Yoder over three rounds.

Cody picks Ducote, emphasizing her college wrestling, BJJ black belt, and technical boxing. He notes that Yoder is 3-7 in the UFC, on a two-year layoff, and has no path to victory. Cody believes Ducote will stuff takedowns and out-strike Yoder easily.

The host picks Emily Ducote, expecting her to use a calf-kicking approach similar to her debut against Jessica Pen. He notes Yoder's long layoff and shoulder surgeries, and believes Ducote's striking and pressure will be too much. He predicts a decision win, possibly a KO, and suggests parlaying the moneyline.

Paul picks Ducote, citing her wrestling background, BJJ black belt, and superior striking. He notes that Yoder has poor wrestling and striking, and that Ducote can stuff takedowns and outbox her. Paul expects a dominant decision win for Ducote.

Angelo picks Emily Ducote because she is a former Invicta champion with slick counter-striking, power, and good wrestling. He criticizes Lupita Godinez for poor decision-making and a miserable track record on short notice. He has a small 0.25-unit bet on Ducote at +119, expecting the line to flip to favor Ducote.

Big Brady picks Lupita Godinez to win by decision, but with a caveat. He notes Godinez is a phenomenal wrestler but has recently fallen in love with her hands, which makes no sense to him. If she wrestles, she wins easily; if she doesn't, it could be close. He expects her to mix in takedowns and win a decision, but he's not fully confident in her game plan.

Cody sees this as a close striking match where both women have wrestling but may not use it. He favors Ducote's striking volume and power, and questions Godinez's fight IQ after she failed to wrestle against Angela Hill. He expects a decision win for Ducote.

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Ducote but with low confidence. He thinks Godinez won't push a pace that makes Ducote uncomfortable, leaving Ducote as the sharper striker. However, he notes that Godinez is capable of a complete performance and that Ducote hasn't shown she can handle a high-level all-around fight. He also mentions that if Godinez accepts taking hard counters and tries to break Ducote, it could work, but he suspects Ducote will persuade her not to.

Daniel Levi picks Emily Ducote as a slight underdog. He thinks Godinez is still developing and has shown vulnerabilities, while Ducote has better volume and striking. He envisions the fight being close, possibly 1-1 going into the third, where Ducote's experience and output could earn her a decision. He notes Ducote landed 116 significant strikes in her UFC debut and believes she can stuff takedowns and chip away over three rounds.

The host picks Lupita Godinez, believing her wrestling will be the difference maker. He thinks Godinez has slicker boxing and can chain takedowns behind combinations. He expects a decision win, though notes Ducate is a good kickboxer and the fight could be close.

Paul agrees, noting that Godinez's win over Calvillo was close and could have gone either way. He thinks Ducote is more dynamic on the feet and that the line offers value. He is not confident enough to bet but picks Ducote.

The MMA Guru picks Lupita Godinez, citing her versatility as a Swiss Army knife compared to Ducote's striking-focused style. He likes the quick turnaround and believes Godinez will mix in grappling to push a pace. He notes Godinez's wins over Ariane Carnelossi and Loma Lookboonmee, the latter being a better striker than Ducote. He expects a close decision, 29-28.

Angelo picks Emily Ducote, praising her straight punches, accuracy, and wrestling. He thinks Angela Hill's length won't help because Ducote will get past it with straight shots. He expects Ducote to cruise to a decision win. He mentions he may bet Ducote by decision, though he normally avoids specific props.

Big Brady leans towards Ducote, citing her power advantage and wrestling background. He notes Hill has struggled with wrestlers and expects Ducote to mix in takedowns to seal rounds. He predicts a competitive fight but Ducote winning a decision.

Cody leans Hill, citing her ability to win close decisions. He notes Ducote may not wrestle, leading to a striking battle that favors Hill. He likes the plus money and expects a split decision.

Connor picks Emily Ducote, citing her natural feel for counter punching, good footwork, and tight guard. He notes that Hill's aggressive approach will likely lull Ducote into doing what she does best, and that Hill struggles against opponents who are solid within themselves.

Daniel Levi picks Emily Ducote to win a split decision, expecting Hill to cry robbery. He notes Hill's inconsistency and that Ducote has a good approach. He is not betting on this fight.

The host picks Ducote, believing her mix of striking and grappling will give her the edge. He thinks she can shut down Hill's volume by landing takedowns and scoring with the judges. He is cautious because Ducote is still relatively new to the UFC but likes her overall game. He would consider a bet on Ducote by decision if plus money is available.

Paul picks Hill, seeing it as a coin flip. He notes Hill's experience and close decision history. He thinks if Ducote doesn't wrestle, Hill can edge a decision. He likes the plus money.

The MMA Guru picks Angela Hill as an underdog, noting she gave Amanda Lemos a tough fight and can handle Ducote's power. He believes Hill's pressure and volume will win her the last two rounds, predicting a split decision victory.

Angelo picks Emily Ducote but is hesitant due to a five-week trend of underdogs winning the first fight of the night. He notes Ducote's patient, accurate striking and wrestling, but acknowledges Penne's experience and the risk of a bad decision. He advises against betting on this fight.

Big Brady picks Emily Ducote to win by decision. He notes that Ducote is 11 years younger, has good takedown defense, and should be the better striker on the feet. He thinks she can stuff Penne's takedowns and outpoint her for three rounds. He warns that if Penne gets the fight to the mat, she could submit Ducote, but he expects Ducote to keep it standing.

Cody is confident in Ducote, citing her wrestling background, BJJ black belt, and well-rounded game. He notes that Penne is 39 and relies on takedowns, but Ducote has the grappling to defend and the striking to win on the feet. He believes Ducote has multiple paths to victory and is a good price at -150.

Daniel Levi leans Emily Ducote, noting she is experienced and has paid her dues. He expects a close fight where Ducote lands better strikes and gets top control, but must be careful of Penne's submissions. He sees it as a dog-or-pass situation and predicts a close decision.

Paul also picks Ducote, agreeing that she is the better fighter in all aspects. He notes her youth, experience, and recent improvements. He believes Penne's magic is running out and that Ducote will win, possibly by decision or TKO.