-Jesse Wallace: Grappler vs grappler. Wallace is 26 years old. 5-1. And proved to me in his last win submitting a 6-2 wrestler that he’s got above average grappling. Joe Solecki is 25 years old. 6-2. And based on his track record, I have his grappling at a lower level than Wallace’s. I’d say he has average grappling. And it’s possible this fight plays out on the feet and we find out who has the better stand up, but I think Wallace can take Solecki down. 2nd round submission for Wallace.
-Kenneth Bergh: The only way Bergh would lose this fight would be due to rust, being that his last fight was 2 years ago. Bergh is 29 years old. 6-0. Has near plus grappling. And anytime the UFC flies someone in from another part of the world to fight on the Contender Series, you can bet they’re pretty good. Antonio Tricoli is 11-3. 28 years old. Well rounded, but the quality of the skills are lacking. Close to average striking and grappling. Bergh’s grappling is on another level and he’s going to submit Tricoli in the 1st round.
-Chris Ocon: This pick is being made mostly off projection. Ocon 23 years old. Only has 2 pro fights, 2-0 record. 1 knockout, 1 submission. So the UFC must think he’s really good to get a shot this early at featherweight with so few fights. His opponent Hunter Azure is 27 years old. 6-0. Has average striking. Beat up on tomato cans, so this fight with Ocon is his toughest to date. I’m going to go out on a limb and pick Ocon by submission in the 2nd round.
-Justin Sumter: Sumter is 29 years old. 7-2. He’s well rounded. Has average striking, average wrestling, average ground. He takes on Maki Pitolo. 28 years old. 10-4. I grade all his skills as below average. Sumter doesn’t have any standout tools either, but he’s better than Pitolo everywhere. Sumter by lackluster decision.
-Jacob Rosales: My feeling with both of these prospects is that they’re not ready for the UFC, but both have recently turned corners and may be headed for bigger things. Rosales is 23 years old. 10-4 record. Has average striking. He lost 2 of his fights when he was 19 years old. Couple years ago, he lost to a fighter with a 4-7 record and looked really bad. Since then he beat a well rounded 7-2 opponent and knocked out a 5-1 grappler. Jonathan Pearce is 6-3. 27 years old. Lost 3 in a row a few years ago and 2 of the 3 opponents were not that good. Pearce’s best tool is striking that’s close to average. Pearce got the biggest win of his career two fights ago knocking out a 5-1 striker. I’m picking Rosales because I believe in his development more, and think he’s got the better striking. Rosales by decision.