Lopes vs Ribeiro, Taveras vs Sidey, Hanekom vs Rowston Fight Picks – Contender Series – September 5, 2023

Bruno Lopes vs Brendson Ribeiro

• Bruno Lopes
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 11-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out Gregory Rodrigues. Submitted a well rounded 10-3 fighter. Beat a well rounded 5-0 fighter.
• Striking: near plus (65)
• Power: near plus (65)
• Grappling: above average (60)

• Brendson Ribeiro
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 14-5
• Key Wins: Submitted Antonio Arroyo and a 6-1 striker. Knocked out a 7-1 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

Lopes looks like an elite prospect at 205 lbs. Well rounded. Possible his grappling is a 65. But his stand up is where he gets it done. Ribeiro’s striking is only a 55 for me as he gets hit too much.

Chris’ Pick: Lopes by 1st round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Lopes -350

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Ramon Taveras vs Serhiy Sidey

• Ramon Taveras
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 8-1
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: average (50)

• Serhiy Sidey
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 9-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 grappler. Beat a well rounded 3-0 fighter.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: average (50)

Coin flip fight. But I think Tavares’ striking is closer to a 60.

Chris’ Pick: Tavares by 2nd round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Tavares -125

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Chad Hanekom vs Dylan Budka

• Chad Hanekom
• Age: 33
• Pro Record: 9-2
• Key Wins: Knocked out an 11-1 wrestler. Beat a well rounded 8-0 fighter.
• Striking: average (50)
• Power: average (50)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Dylan Budka
• Age: 23
• Pro Record: 5-2
• Key Losses: Split decision loss to a well rounded 15-3 fighter.
• Key Wins: Submitted a 4-1 striker. Beat a 3-0 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

I watched Hanekom take on a 5-4 striker on short notice and saw a big lack of confidence. Hanekom was very tentative on the feet. Didn’t want to exchange strikes. Preferred to wrestle as much as he could. I really liked what I saw from Budka against a well rounded 15-3 fighter. Budka was taken down a few times though and why he lost the fight. But it’s possible his striking and wrestling could be 60s.

Chris’ Pick: Budka by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Budka -175

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Jean Silva vs Kevin Vallejos

• Jean Silva
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 10-2
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter, a well rounded 7-2 fighter, and a 5-2 striker. Submitted a 5-2 striker.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Kevin Vallejos
• Age: 21
• Pro Record: 11-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out Luiz Garagorri.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Wrestling: above average (60)

I was really close to grading Vallejos’ striking a 65. He took on UFC vet Luiz Garagorri and it almost looked like Vallejos was fighting up a weight class. But Vallejos made up for it in speed. This is a high quality fight here, but I like Vallejos more because he’s more well rounded.

Chris’ Pick: Vallejos by 2nd round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Vallejos -175

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Rainn Guerrero vs Dione Barbosa de Lima

• Rainn Guerrero
• Age: 31
• Pro Record: 5-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a 3-0 striker. Beat Christina Marks.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Dione Barbosa de Lima
• Age: 31
• Pro Record: 5-2
• Key Wins: Beat Karine Silva.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

Guerrero fights a lot like Loopey Godinez. Has great cardio, well rounded. On paper, I have both graded close to identical. But Barbosa de Lima is taking this fight on less than a week’s notice and I see Guerrero’s cardio being the difference.

Chris’ Pick: Guerrero by split decision.

What I think the odds should be: Guerrero -135