Murzakanov vs Scheffel, Lopes vs Brito, Altamirano vs Candelario Fight Picks – The Contender Series – August 31, 2021

Azamat Murzakanov vs Matheus Scheffel

• Azamat Murzakanov
• Age: 32
• Pro Record: 9-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out Andre Muniz and a 13-3 striker.
• Tools: Murzakanov has above average striking (60) and above average wrestling (60).

• Matheus Scheffel
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 14-6
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 12-3 striker.
• Tools: Scheffel has average striking (50) and average wrestling (50).

Murzakanov should be much heavier than -275. I think he should be closer to -400, but I appreciate the discount because this is The Contender. Home of the massive upset. In this case, Murzakanov looks like a potential title contender, well rounded above average tools. He’s going to overwhelm Scheffel.

Chris’ Pick: Murzakanov by 1st round knockout.

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Diego Lopes vs Joanderson Sa de Brito

• Diego Lopes
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 18-3
• Key Wins: Submitted Marcos Beltran and a 14-3 grappler.
• Tools: Lopes has striking that’s a little above average (55) and above average grappling (60).

• Joanderson Sa de Brito
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 11-2-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 5-0 fighter and a 6-0 grappler. Knocked out a well rounded 9-3 fighter.
• Tools: de Brito has striking that’s a little above average (55) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).

Real coin flip fight. Lopes last fought UFC vet Masio Fullen and Fullen has well rounded, average skills. And Lopes was clearly a notch above him. But Brito’s grappling should enable him to get back up if taken down. Striking should be close to equal. It looks like Lopes has a slight advantage in the grappling, but he’s also taking this fight on less than a week’s notice. Brito could have better cardio. I’m going to pick Lopes, but it’s a shaky pick and I’m not confident about it.

Chris’ Pick: Lopes by split decision.

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Victor Altamirano vs Carlos Candelario

• Victor Altamirano
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 9-1
• Key Wins: Beat a well rounded 5-2 fighter and a 6-1 grappler. Split decision over a well rounded 4-1 fighter.
• Tools: Altamirano has striking that’s a little above average paired with fringe average striking (55-45). He also has average grappling (50).

• Carlos Candelario
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 8-0
• Key Wins: Beat a 6-0 grappler.
• Tools: Candelario has average striking (50). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).

Chris’ Pick: Altamirano by split decision.

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AJ Fletcher vs Leonardo Damiani

• AJ Fletcher
• Age: 24
• Pro Record: 8-0
• Tools: Fletcher has striking that’s a little above average (55) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).

• Leonardo Damiani
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 10-2-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 4-0 fighter, a 6-2 striker, and a well rounded 5-1 fighter. Split decision win over a 10-5 grappler.
• Tools: Damiani has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).

On paper, Damiani looks like he has 55 grappling. 10-2-1 record. 6 of them submissions. But I watched him take on a 10-5 grappler and I was really underwhelmed. Damiani barely squeaked by with a split decision. Which means there’s no way Damiani is going to get Fletcher down. It’ll be a stand up fight. Fletcher, who trains with Dustin Poirier, should have better striking.

Chris’ Pick: Fletcher by 2nd round knockout.