Kaiwen Li vs Kai Lu
- Kaiwen Li
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 10-5
- Key Wins: Submitted a 4-1 striker. Knocked out a well rounded 5-1 fighter.
- Striking: average (50)
- Power: average (50)
- Wrestling: average (50)
- Kai Lu
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 8-4
- UFC Record: 1-1
- Key Losses: Lost to a well rounded 11-8 fighter.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 13-2 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Grappling: average (50)
Knockouts happen sometimes. Kai getting knocked out by Jeong Yeong Lee in 42 seconds doesn’t mean his skills vanished. The way to figure out where Kai’s skills are at is to look at his fight with Angga Hans. Angga came in as a -245 favorite. I’m still not sure why. Maybe they thought he’d be able to beat Kai with take downs. Striking was close to equal in the fight. Kai got the better of the wrestling and even knocked Angga out with ground and pound. I was really surprised by what my eyes were seeing. And I’d even say it’s possible Kai’s wrestling could be a 65. I really like Kai to bounce back here. He’s better than Kaiwen everywhere.
Chris’ Pick: Kai by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Kai -350
Sumit Kumar vs Seung Guk Choi
- Sumit Kumar
- Age: 22
- Pro Record: 8-0
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
- Seung Guk Choi
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 6-2
- UFC Record: 2-1
- Key WIns: Beat an 8-3 grappler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: fringe average (45)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
Kumar has one of the most padded records I’ve seen in MMA in awhile. 6 of his 8 wins were against fighters with zero pro wins. But. 7 of his 8 wins were also 1st round finishes, so he is doing what he’s supposed to be doing, but the question is, can he look this impressive against better competition. I think this is going to be Kumar’s fast start and power against Choi’s wrestling and grinding style. Choi’s been under the bright lights before. Someone like Choi will be harder to finish. I think he’ll weather the 1st round storm and take over in the 2nd round.
Chris’ Pick: Choi by decision.
What I think the odds should be: Choi -125
Yibugele vs Kouya Kanda
- Yibugele
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 22-11
- Striking: average (50)
- Power: average (50)
- Wrestling: average (50)
- Kouya Kanda
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 11-4
- Key Losses: Split decision loss to an 18-6 wrestler.
- Key Wins: Beat a well rounded 3-0 fighter and a 3-0 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: fringe average (45)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
Kanda’s skills were a bit better than I thought when I watched him. Looked very light on the feet, good cardio, throws volume. Kanda should win here with landing more and mixing some take downs in.
Chris’ Pick: Kanda by decision.
What I think the odds should be: Kanda -150
Niushiyue Ji vs Billy Pasulatan
- Niushiyue Ji
- Age: NA
- Pro Record: 11-2
- Striking: average (50)
- Power: average (50)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: average (50)
- Billy Pasulatan
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 10-2
- Key Wins: Submitted a 10-1 striker. Knocked out a well rounded 9-3 fighter and a well rounded 6-1 fighter. Split decision over a 5-1 striker.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Grappling: above average (60)
I watched Niushiyue take on a 4-4 striker with striking that can’t be better than a 45 grade. And Niushiyue did land more, but did get hit a lot. I’m decently confident Pasulatan has 60 striking and should win on the feet with margin.
Chris’ Pick: Pasulatan by 2nd round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Pasulatan -325
Nueraji Taiyilake vs Han Seul Kim
- Nueraji Taiyilake
- Age: 20
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Han Seul Kim
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 13-4
- Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 7-6 fighter.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 7-1 wrestler. Submitted a 6-1 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
When I watch Nueraji, he really impressed me with his gas tank. He was able to take down a 19-10 striker repeatedly. Cardio held up. And his striking could possibly be a 60 as well. Coin flip fight, but I’m picking Taiyilake because I think he’s going to push the pace and tire Kim out.
Chris’ Pick: Taiyilake by split decision.
What I think the odds should be: Taiyilake -125