Reyes Cortez Jr vs Christian Rodriguez
- Reyes Cortez Jr
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 5-1
- Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 4-3 striker.
- Key Wins: Beat a 3-0 grappler.
- Tools: Cortez has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
- Christian Rodriguez
- Age: 23
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Tools: Rodriguez has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).
Both guys are pretty similar. I have them graded exactly the same. But Rodriguez’s cardio and pace is on another level. Being that I have to project a bit in picking here, I see Rodriguez putting a pace on Cortez and Cortez starting to fade in the 2nd half of the fight. The volume will get it done.
Chris’ Pick: Rodriguez by decision.
Lorenzo Hood vs Martin Buday
- Lorenzo Hood
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 12-4
- Key Losses: Knocked out by a well rounded 3-3 fighter. Submitted by a 10-4 grappler.
- Tools: Hood has striking that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average wrestling (45).
- Martin Buday
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 7-1 striker.
- Tools: Buday has striking that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average wrestling (45).
Anybody’s fight here. Heavyweights. I have them graded exactly the same. And I have no idea why Buday is a -400 favorite? Do people think Buday has wrestling and will take down Hood? I doubt it. I’m picking Buday because Hood is fighting on less than 2 weeks notice. Buday should have better cardio. But if you can get Hood at anywhere near +300, I think there’s some value there.
Chris’ Pick: Buday by 2nd round knockout.
Jake Hadley vs Mitch Raposo
- Jake Hadley
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 7-2 fighter. Beat a well rounded 10-2-1 fighter and a well rounded 7-1 fighter.
- Tools: Hadley has average striking (50) and above average grappling (60).
- Mitch Raposo
- Age: 22
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Tools: Raposo has fringe average striking (45) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).
Grappler vs grappler is matched up here. Both really prefer using it. But they’ll be forced to stand up here. Based on what I’ve seen, I like Hadley’s striking a bit better. But there’s no way Hadley should be a -300. Way too heavy. Raposo’s striking could be closer to a 50. Raposo is a live dog.
Chris’ Pick: Hadley by decision.
Chris Duncan vs Viacheslav Borshchev
- Chris Duncan
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-2 fighter and a 14-5 wrestler.
- Tools: Duncan has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).
- Viacheslav Borshchev
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 4-1
- Key Wins: Beat a 4-1 wrestler.
- Tools: Borshchev has average striking (50) and fringe average wrestling (45).
I watched Borshchev take on a well rounded 3-1 fighter and it was a pretty pedestrian performance. Very average. Got taken down a few times. Got up. As of now, Duncan is only a -175 favorite and I’m pretty shocked by that. I think Duncan should be at -350, at least.
Chris’ Pick: Duncan by 1st round knockout.
Maria Silva vs Kathryn Paprocki
- Maria Silva
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 5-0 fighter.
- Tools: Silva has above average striking (60) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).
- Kathyrn Paprocki
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 3-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a 3-0 striker.
- Tools: Paprocki has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).
Paprocki has proven to be a scrappy fighter. But she’s going to be really over matched here. Silva hasn’t fought in about 2 years. She’ll be fresh. Probably has gotten better. Her speed is a sight to behold. Her power is going to overwhelm Paprocki.
Chris’ Pick: Silva by 2nd round knockout.