-Antonio Arroyo: Arroyo is 30 years old. 8-2. Pretty well rounded. Has above average striking and average grappling. Has beat some pretty good opponents. Stephen Regman is 9-3. 27 years old. Just has average striking. I think Arroyo is better everywhere, but the path of least resistance would be on the ground. 1st round submission win for Arroyo.
-Armando Villarreal: Not too impressed with either prospect. Ode Osbourne is 27 years old. 5-2. As of now, I don’t think he has any average or above skills. His grappling is closest to an average tool. Villarreal is 29 years old. 5-1. Also lacks any average or above tools. But I do think Villarreal has better wrestling and better striking and I think both are possible pathways to winning. Villarreal by decision.
-Ricardo Prasel: I’m picking Prasel because ultimately I don’t see any evidence that Don’tale Mayes can stop the take downs. Prasel is 10-1. 28 years old. Has above average grappling. Mayes is 5-2. 27 years old. Has above average striking. Both are quality heavyweight prospects. I think Prasel will do well enough on the feet to not get knocked out. Will clinch with Hayes. Take him down. And submit him in the 1st round. Hayes has never fought anyone with the caliber grappling that Prasel has.
-Kevin Syler: Really interesting grappler vs grappler fight. Syler is 8-0. 25 years old. His grappling is pretty close to plus. He even submitted a grappler with a 7-1 record. His opponent Lance Lawrence is 4-0. 26 years. And it’s hard to grade his tools because all 4 of his wins have been over poor competition. But he submitted all 4 in the first round. 1 of Syler’s 8 wins was a knockout over a pretty good grappler, so I think what happens is the grappling cancels itself out, fight stays on the feet and Syler out points Lawrence for a decision win. For me, Syler’s experience against quality opponents will be the difference here.
-Brendan Allen: Aaron Jeffrey is 6-1. 26 years old. Has average striking. Takes on Brendan Allen who’s got way more experience. 11-3. 23 years old. Has above average grappling and average striking. Being that Allen is so young, it’s very possible both tools could become plus. Jeffrey has only beat up tomato cans and I think Allen is too steep a jump in competition. Especially when Allen’s only 3 losses have been against Trevin Giles, Eryk Anders and Aaron Hernandez. All UFC fighters. And 3 of Allen’s last 4 wins have been against quality prospects. Allen should roll here. 1st round submission.