-Leon Shahbazyan: Really close fight. When looking at Leon’s brother Edman Shahbazyan, who’s turned into one of the best prospects in all of the UFC, to think Leon would be an elite prospect too. But it’s too early to say that because all of Leon’s wins are over cans and the one quality prospect he fought, Leon got knocked out. He’s 23 years old. 7-1. At least average grappling, that might be better. Phil Rowe is 29 years old. 6-2 record. Lost his first 2 pro fights to cans, but since then has won 6 in a row. All wins over cans. Average grappling. So I’m going out on a limb to say Shahbazyan’s grappling is better. And it’s also a risky pick because Rowe probably has better striking. But I’m going Shahbazyan by decision.
-Marcos Brigagao: Hard fight to pick because Brigagao has only beaten cans. He looks like an elite prospect. 23 years old. 11-0. But he hasn’t fought anybody. He’s got at least average striking. Might be better than that. Jamal Pogues is more of a known commodity. Also 23 years old. 6-2. Lost to 2 solid opponents. And he did beat a well rounded 8-0 fighter by decision. But based on the 2 losses, I’d grade his striking as average. I’m projecting that Brigagao has the better stand up and knocks Pogues out in the 2nd round.
-Steve Garcia: Garcia is 27 years old. 8-3 pro record. 3 losses were against quality guys. Joe Warren, Aalon Cruz, who’s now in the UFC and a split decision loss to Ricky Turcios, who was recently on the Contender Series. Garcia has also beat some decent competition. Average striking. Alberto Montes is taking this fight on short notice. 25 years old. 4-0. Has only beaten cans. All his tools are below average, but his grappling is his best skill. Garcia will have the full training camp, experience advantage. Garcia should be able to keep the fight on the feet and he’ll out point Montes to win by decision.
-Mallory Martin: Since losing to emerging UFC title contender Maycee Barber, Martin has been on a roll. 25 years old. 10-3 pro and amateur record. Has beat a few decent prospects. And in the past year, I’d say her striking has improved from an average grade to an above average grade. Meanwhile Micol Disegni is 31 years old. 11-3 pro and amateur record. Problem is that all her wins are over cans. And she lost to a 1-0 fighter and got knocked out by a 4-1 grappler. My conclusion is that if Disegni could get knocked out by a grappler, just last year, that Martin would be able to knock Disegni out too. 2nd round knockout for Martin.
-Ricky Steele: Wrestler vs wrestler. Phil Caracappa is 27 years old. 6-0 pro record. All wins over cans. 1 knockout, 5 decisions. Has average wrestling. Steele is 31 years old. 5-0 pro record. All wins by decision. But he’s beaten some pretty good prospects. Including a 3-0 grappler in his very first pro fight. Steele has above average wrestling. Really hard fight to pick because Steele’s wrestling is better than Caracappa, but probably not enough to take him down and keep him there. And who knows who has better stand up. I’m picking Steele due to his experience in beating tougher competition. Steele by split decision.