Raheam Forest vs Danny Barlow
- Raheam Forest
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 6-2 striker. Beat a well rounded 5-0 fighter. Split decision over a 6-1 wrestler.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Danny Barlow
- Age: 36
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
Charlie Radtke’s recent UFC debut against Blood Diamond is really helpful. Because it turns out, Radtke is really good. Amazingly, Radtke out struck Diamond 27 to 19. And Radtke’s wrestling is also a solid 60. And who was Radtke’s last opponent before his UFC debut? Forest. I watched the fight. Striking because Radtke and Forest was close to equal. Grappling went back and forth until Forest got trapped in a body triangle and a choke. It happens. I see Forest having a big advantage on the feet.
Chris’ Pick: Forest by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Forest -325
Alexander Soldatkin vs Mario Piazzon
- Alexander Soldatkin
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 14-3
- Key Wins: Submitted a 6-0 striker. Knocked out a 5-2 grappler, a well rounded 10-3 fighter, a 13-3 striker, and a well rounded 4-1 fighter. Beat a well rounded 4-0 fighter.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
- Mario Piazzon
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
Soldatkin reminds me of Serghei Pavlovich with the amount of power he carries. Unless Piazzon turns out to have elite skills, this one should be over quick.
Chris’ Pick: Soldatkin by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Soldatkin -300
Danny Silva vs Angel Pacheco
- Danny Silva
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Losses: Majority decision loss to Canaan Kawaihae.
- Key Wins: Beat a 4-0 wrestler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
- Angel Pacheco
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a 6-2 wrestler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
Pacheco’s last win had more to do with his opponent gassing out than it did with Pacheco having better skill. That said, I have to give Pacheco credit for having good cardio, knowing how to be efficient. I give him a slight edge over Silva because I think Pacheco will mix in some take downs and have better cardio.
Chris’ Pick: Pacheco by decision.
What I think the odds should be: Pacheco -135
Carli Judice vs Ernesta Kareckaite
- Carli Judice
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 2-0
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Ernesta Kareckaite
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 4-0-1
- Key Wins: Split decision over a well rounded 4-0-1 fighter.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
On paper, Judice might look like a nobody. Stepping in on less than a week’s notice. Only has 2 pro fights. But her skill pops. Foot work and how she controls range is really good. It’s going to be really interesting when the book makers come out with the odds because I think Judice is better everywhere.
Chris’ Pick: Judice by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Judice -250
Vinicius de Oliveira vs Victor Madrigal
- Vinicius de Oliveira
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 17-3
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 12-3 grappler and a 12-2 wrestler. Beat a well rounded 12-3 fighter and a 13-1 wrestler.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Victor Madrigal
- Age: NA
- Pro Record: 11-3
- Key Wins: Submitted Jose Quinonez and Cristian Quinonez. Knocked out a 10-3 striker, a well rounded 5-1 fighter, and a well rounded 7-2 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: above average (60)
Watching Madrigal against UFC vet Jose Quinonez was helpful. Quinonez’s last UFC fight was 3 years ago. He had 60 striking in the UFC. Maybe his striking is still that good, but I doubt it, probably a 55 tool. Striking between him and Madrigal was back and forth, with maybe Quinonez getting the better of it. De Oliveira has big time power. Striking could be a 65. Wrestling could be a 60. I see him keeping the fight on the feet long enough to catch Madrigal.
Chris’ Pick: de Oliveira by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: de Oliveira -175