Rodrigues vs Williams, Naimov vs Anglin, Kuppe vs Lombardo Fight Picks

Gregory Rodrigues vs Jordan Williams

• Gregory Rodrigues
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 7-2
• Key Wins: Submitted a 4-1-1 grappler. Knocked out a well rounded 3-0 fighter and a 4-1 grappler.
• Tools: Rodrigues has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has grappling that’s a little above average (55).

• Jordan Williams
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 8-3
• Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 5-0 wrestler.
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-0 grappler.
• Tools: Williams has average striking paired with below average power (50-40). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55).

Could be a close fight if Williams is able to take Rodrigues down and control him. The fact that Williams was able to hang with Ramazan Kuramagomedov proves his wrestling is legit. But ultimately, Rodrigues has beat a few pretty good prospects on the level of Williams. He also had a full camp. His cardio will be better. I think he’s going to be on the feet long enough to knock Williams out.

Chris’ Pick: Rodrigues by 2nd round knockout.

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Muhammadjon Naimov vs Collin Anglin

• Muhammadjon Naimov
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 5-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 striker. Split decision win over a 2-0-1 fighter.
• Tools: Naimov has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has fringe average grappling (45).

• Collin Anglin
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 7-1
• Tools: Anglin has average striking (50). 

Striker vs striker. Anglin has a loss. Naimov has a split decision win over a 2-0-1 fighter. Striking tools seem to be close to equal. From a projection stand point, I’m going to pick Naimov. After watching both of them, Naimov looks like he has the better striking. He’s faster. Does more damage. And is undefeated.

Chris’ Pick: Naimov knocks Anglin out in the 2nd round.

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Korey Kuppe vs Michael Lombardo

• Korey Kuppe
• Age: 31
• Pro Record: 8-3
• Key Losses: Knocked out by a well rounded 2-6 fighter.
• Key Wins: Submitted Kenneth Cross.
• Tools: Kuppe has fringe average striking paired with below average power (45-35). He also has average grappling (50).

• Michael Lombardo
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 10-2
• Tools: Lombardo has fringe average striking (45) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).

My knee jerk reaction in looking at this fight was to pick Kuppe. All of Lombardo’s wins are over cans. But I watched Lombardo’s fight against Kyle Daukaus again, and Lombardo didn’t do that bad. Turns out Daukaus is really good. Lombardo’s wrestling is better than I thought. So much so that I’ve changed my pick to Lombardo because I think he’s going to be able to take Kuppe down and stay out of trouble.

Chris’ Pick: Lombardo by decision.

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Taneisha Tennant vs Danyelle Wolf

• Taneisha Tennant
• Age: 31
• Pro Record: 3-0
• Tools: Tennant has striking that’s a little above average paired with fringe average power (55-45). She also has average wrestling (50).

• Danyelle Wolf
• Age: 37
• Pro Record: 0-0
• Tools: Wolf has striking that’s a little above average (55). She also has fringe average wrestling (45).

Wolf has a bit of hype coming into this debut as a former Olympic boxer. But she’s making her MMA pro debut here at 37 years old. And Tennant is a legit prospect who’s a very big, lanky featherweight. And she has wrestling. After watching Tennant’s last fight, I have a hard time figuring out how Wolf wins. Tennant is not an easy opponent by any means. Just because she has the boxing background, it’s not a lock she’ll have the better MMA striking. And I just doubt that Wolf’s wrestling will be good enough to stop take downs. I think Tennant is a much safer pick in a very unpredictable fight.

Chris’ Pick: Tennant by decision.

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Dinis Paiva vs Kyle Driscoll

• Dinis Paiva
• Age: 32
• Pro Record: 13-7
• Key Losses: Submitted by Andre Ewell and a 4-3 grappler.
• Key Wins: Beat Jordan Espinosa.
• Tools: Paiva has fringe average striking (45) and below average wrestling (40).

• Kyle Driscoll
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 11-3
• Key Losses: Lost to a 9-4 grappler.
• Key Wins: Beat a 4-1 wrestler.
• Tools: Driscoll has average striking (50) and average wrestling (50).

Paiva’s claim to fame is having a win over UFC fighter Jordan Espinosa. But Paiva has also shown that he can be beat by lower tier fighters as well. Driscoll is a lot more well rounded. Should have the wrestling to take Paiva down and I don’t think the fight lasts long.

Chris’ Pick: Driscoll by ground and pound TKO in the 1st round.