-Nick Newell: This is not a difficult pick at all. Main thing to know is that Newell is a very unique submission specialist. And in Alex Munoz’s last fight, he took on a submission specialist with a 4-1 pro record and Munoz eked out a split decision win. Not only is Newell on a different level, he might as well be on a different planet. Newell is so good in the current moment, he could probably beat a lot of lightweights ranked in the top 10 in the UFC. Right now. Newell’s only loss? Justin Gaethje, who, yeah, Gaethje is really, really good and that’s why Newell lost. But no. Newell lost because it was a stylistic nightmare. Gaethje has amazing wrestling, Newell wasn’t able to get the fight on the ground and Gaethje has way better striking. Simple as that. Munoz will have nothing for Newell here and I’ll be surprised if Newell doesn’t submit Munoz in less than 2 minutes.
-Jim Crute: Chris Birchler used to be a top prospect with a wrestling background. But he hasn’t been able to develop his stand up and grappling enough to beat quality opponents. He’s only been able to beat tomato cans and Crute is not that. Crute’s got a 7-0 pro record. Decently well rounded. He’s not an elite, blue chip prospect, but he’s going to be good enough to keep the fight on the feet and out strike Birchler to a decision win.
-Sodiq Yusuff: Both fighters are strikers. Both are 25 years old. Main difference between the two is lack of experience. Mike Davis has beat up on tomato cans. Whereas Yusuff has taken on 3 quality prospects in his last 3 fights, winning 2 of 3. Experience will be the difference here and I like Yusuff to knock Davis out in the 1st round.
-Jeff Hughes: The heavyweight division in the UFC is phenomenally thin and this fight is evidence of that. Almost every other weight class has very good prospects on the Contender Series. But Josh Appelt? He’s a gatekeeper on the regional scene. He doesn’t have a single win over a quality opponent. Hughes? He’s got a 9-1 pro record and he’s only finished 4 of his 9 wins. For a heavyweight with all the power they have, that’s pretty bad. Hughes is going to win by primarily using wrestling and grappling to win via decision.
-Chase Hooper: This is an evenly matched fight. Hooper is incredibly young. 18 years old. Canaan Kawaihae is 20 years old. Both undefeated. Both have 1 knockout and the rest of their wins have come via submission. I give Hooper a slight edge as the last opponent he beat was a full grown man who’s a decent prospect. 30 years old and had a 3-0 pro record. I think Hooper has a little more confidence and that’ll help him win a close split decision.