Rhys McKee

Angelo leans towards Rhys McKee as an underdog, noting his experience against good fighters and his length. He acknowledges Axel Sola's speed and power but questions his level of competition. He also factors in Sola stepping up on short notice and potential octagon jitters. He expects the line to tighten and possibly flip.

Big Brady picks Rhys McKee despite his poor striking defense, citing his toughness and durability. He notes Sola is moving up in weight and is hittable. He believes McKee's size and doggedness will carry him to a decision win, his first decision victory in 21 fights.

Connor picks Sola to keep it interesting, noting that Sola has a fighter's mentality and can be more aggressive when needed. He thinks Sola's physicality is at least as good as Alex Morono, who easily handled McKee. However, he admits that Sola often has a feeling-out period and may let McKee into the fight.

The host acknowledges McKee's volume approach but believes Sola has a better jab and overall MMA game. He expects Sola to take the fight to the ground and find opportune moments to control and damage McKee en route to a decision victory.

The Guru picks Rhys McKee, believing Axel Sola's regional fights showed vulnerabilities against crafty veterans. He argues McKee is superior at range and in distance management, and Sola won't be able to impose his ground game. He predicts a 29-28 decision for McKee, with McKee winning rounds one and three or two and three.

Angelo notes that Rhys McKee has a chin and can be boring, which is an asset against a dangerous striker like Frunza, but he believes Vegas judges prioritize damage over control time. He thinks Frunza's pressure and power will earn him a decision if it goes the distance, as McKee won't do enough damage. Angelo leans Frunza but acknowledges McKee is a live dog and won't bet on a UFC debutant.

Big Brady picks Daniel Frunza but expresses low interest in betting. He notes Rhys McKee is extremely hitable with poor striking defense, while Frunza has good cardio and will land consistently. He expects Frunza to win by decision, as McKee is tough enough to survive.

McKee's minute-winning abilities are favored as he can touch up Frunza from distance and avoid major shots coming back. He is expected to win by decision.

Angelo is confident Chidi Njokuani will win, citing his speed, power, and reach advantage. He dismisses Rhys McKee as one-dimensional ('tall'). He worries about Njokuani's three-fight losing streak and tendency to get caught after dominating, but believes he should win.

Big Brady picks Chidi Njokuani to win by first-round knockout. He notes Njokuani is a dangerous striker with power, while McKee is very hitable with poor striking defense. Brady expects Njokuani to land heavy shots early and finish McKee, though he mentions McKee's toughness and ability to survive. He also suggests a live bet on McKee if he survives the first round.

Cody is fading Njokuani due to his weight cut to 170, age, and cardio issues. He believes McKee's volume, durability, and pressure will overwhelm Njokuani, especially if the fight goes past the first round. He sees McKee as a live dog and even likes a round 3 TKO prop.

Daniel Vreeland picks Rhys McKee, citing his durability and grit. He notes Njokuani is on a losing streak, moving down to welterweight for the first time in years, and has cardio and mental questions. He thinks McKee can absorb Njokuani's early offense and take over as the fight goes on, possibly by submission or late finish.

Njokuani drops to welterweight at 35, which is a concern, but he has a reach advantage and slick Muay Thai. McKee relies on volume but has been hurt by power punchers. Njokuani's straight shots and speed could break McKee's chin. However, the weight cut is a question mark; final decision after weigh-ins. Prediction: Njokuani by knockout.

Paul agrees with Cody's concerns about Njokuani's weight cut and lack of wrestling. He notes McKee's ability to absorb damage and keep up volume, making him a solid underdog play. He also likes the round 3 prop.

Angelo picks Ange Loosa confidently, citing his durability, speed, power, and wrestling. He notes Rhys McKee has technical striking but poor wrestling defense, and after seeing Loosa out-wrestle AJ Fletcher, he's confident Loosa can do the same here. He mentions a parlay with Loosa at +135.

Big Brady leans toward Loosa, citing his durability (never finished) and ability to dictate where the fight goes. He notes McKee's poor takedown defense and hittability, but acknowledges McKee's toughness and power. He expects a close fight with Loosa winning a decision, possibly using takedowns.

Cody picks Loosa, citing his well-rounded game, training at Kill Cliff FC, and ability to mix takedowns. He notes McKee's takedown defense is exploitable, as shown by Alex Morono taking him down three times. Loosa has nasty leg kicks and good durability. Cody expects Loosa to win by decision, using leg kicks and takedowns to control the fight.

Daniel Levi picks Ange Loosa, noting that Loosa showed improved volume in his last fight against AJ Fletcher and has power in his hands. He acknowledges that Loosa can slow down and that McKee is durable and could take over late. Levi is concerned about Loosa's cardio but believes he has more paths to victory, including mixing in takedowns. He calls it a well-matched fight and leans Loosa but is not confident enough to bet heavily.

I like McKee at plus money. Loosa is explosive early but fades in the second and third rounds. McKee is a volume striker who gets stronger as fights go on. If McKee can survive the early onslaught, he should pull away late. I also like McKee round three as a prop. Loosa has struggled against technically better strikers, and McKee fits that description.

Paul agrees with Loosa, noting McKee's wrestling is exploitable. He mentions Loosa's win over AJ Fletcher showed his wrestling advantage. Paul trusts Loosa to get the job done, though he notes McKee has a reach advantage. He adds Loosa over 1.5 takedowns to his prize picks card.

Big Brady picks Morono due to experience and being the better fighter, but he questions Morono's fight IQ and reluctance to use his BJJ. He is concerned about McKee's six-inch reach advantage and finishing ability. He expects a close decision and is not betting, but might look at the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop.

Daniel picks Morono, citing his experience and power advantage. He notes that McKee is hittable and has poor takedown defense, and that Morono is further along in his career. He thinks Morono will back McKee up, land overhands, and possibly finish late. He warns that Morono is a bit chinny but believes he is the better grappler and overall fighter.

Big Brady is very confident in Chimaev, noting his dominance in his last fight and the massive size advantage. He says McKee is small for the weight class and has been taken down by low-level opponents. He predicts a first-round knockout via ground and pound. He advises against parlaying the moneyline but suggests using 'wins inside the distance' instead.

Daniel is confident in Chimaev, believing his takedown defense and overall game are too much for McKee. He notes Chimaev looked amazing in his debut but cautions that John Phillips is not a top test. He expects Chimaev to run through McKee and thinks the line is warranted.