
Hashem Arkhagha vs AJ Dobson
- Hashem Arkhagha
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a 3-0 striker.
- Tools: Arkhagha has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).
- AJ Dobson
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 striker.
- Tools: Dobson has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
Not a lot of film on both guys. I think both will come out hot in this fight and I’m not sure who has the bigger gas tank. I am decently sure that Dobson’s striking is slightly better. But with the way both of these guys are probably going to trade, Dobson could get caught.
Chris’ Pick: Dobson by 1st round knockout.
Michael Morales vs Nikolay Veretennikov
- Michael Morales
- Age: 21
- Pro Record: 11-0
- Tools: Morales has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
- Nikolay Veretennikov
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 9-3
- Key Wins: Knocked out Anthony Ivy and a 5-2 grappler. Beat an 8-1 wrestler.
- Tools: Veretennikov has striking that’s a little above average (55) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
Could be a close fight, but it’ll all depend on how good Morales’ wrestling really is. I have him graded as a 50 for now, but it could be a 45. Striking should be close. Veretennikov mixing in some take downs and top control I think will be the difference in the fight.
Chris’ Pick: Veretennikov by decision.
Steve Nguyen vs Theo Rlayang
- Steve Nguyen
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-2 grappler.
- Tools: Nguyen has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).
- Theo Rlayang
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Tools: Rlayang has average striking (50) and fringe average wrestling (45).
I was really unimpressed watching Rlayang. Maybe I caught him on a bad night, but I watched him face off against a 5-7 wrestler that normally fights 2 weight classes smaller than Rlayang. And Rlayang was very risk adverse. Was content to stay on the outside despite him clearly have better striking, more power. Rlayang also got taken down a few times. Then there’s Nguyen, and I’m happy he’s getting this 2nd chance. If you look at the end result of Nguyen vs Aalon Cruz, you’ll see Cruz knocked him out. But Nguyen was actually winning the fight, beating Cruz in the striking, until Cruz hit that flying knee. It’s possible Nguyen’s striking could be a 60. But I’m very confident in it being at least a 55 and that’ll be enough to get the job done with Rlayang.
Chris’ Pick: Nguyen by 1st round knockout.
Kleydson Rodrigues vs Santo Curatolo
- Kleydson Rodrigues
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 5-0 fighter. Beat a well rounded 6-2 fighter.
- Tools: Rodrigues has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).
- Santo Curatolo
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-1 fighter.
- Tools: Curatolo has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
Striker vs striker. I have both of these guys graded exactly the same. Could go either way. From the film I watched, I liked what I saw from Curatolo more. I also think his wrestling could be a 55.
Chris’ Pick: Curatolo by 2nd round knockout.
Jacob Rosales vs Victor Martinez
- Jacob Rosales
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 13-6
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-1 fighter. Beat a well rounded 7-2 fighter, a 7-1 wrestler, and an 11-4 wrestler.
- Tools: Rosales has average striking paired with below average power (50-40). He also has average wrestling (50).
- Victor Martinez
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 12-4
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 7-2 fighter. Split decision win over a 6-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Martinez has average striking (50) and fringe average wrestling (45).
Both guys are pretty average. Coin flip fight. Rosales’ wrestling is slightly better. Martinez has slightly more power. I think Rosales gets a few take downs that gets him the win.
Chris’ Pick: Rosales by split decision.