Aaron Tau vs Elijah Smith
- Aaron Tau
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 8-0
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Elijah Smith
- Age: 21
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 2-0 striker and a 7-1 wrestler. Beat a well rounded 4-0 fighter.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
Smith is extremely athletic, extremely fast, well rounded. Tau is explosive, but also defensively responsible, moves in and out really well. Trains at City Kickboxing.
Chris’ Pick: Tau by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Tau -125
Tallison Teixeira vs Arthur Lopes
- Tallison Teixeira
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 striker.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Arthur Lopes
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
Teixeira looks great. All 6 of Teixeira’s wins have been finishes, 5 by KO. But I can’t grade his striking as a 65 yet as because of a poor strength of schedule. Best guy he’s fought so far was his last fight against a 4-1 striker. But it’s possible his striking could be as high as a 65.
Chris’ Pick: Teixeira by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Teixeira -175
Benjamin Bennett vs Joey Hart
- Benjamin Bennett
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 3-0 grappler and an 8-1 wrestler.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Joey Hart
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out an 8-3 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
6 of Hart’s 7 wins have come by KO. That looks good. Undefeated. Tall, long reach for the weight class. But I watched his last fight, only from a couple months ago against a 35 year old opponent with 55 striking, 50 wrestling. And yes, Hart got the KO, but up the that point, the fight was very even. I’d even say Hart’s opponent was getting the better of the wrestling and clinch work. Maybe it was a slow start for Hart, might be under rating him. Bennett’s resume makes it look like he has 60 tools. I watched his last fight in LFA, almost made me downgrade both his striking and wrestling. But he might have been taking his time on purpose, might have wanted some cage time. Trains at Team Elevation. So I think it’s more likely he does have 60 tools.
Chris’ Pick: Bennett by 2nd round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Bennett -200
Yura Naito vs Ateba Abega Gautier
- Yura Naito
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
- Ateba Abega Gautier
- Age: 22
- Pro Record: 5-1
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
Chris’ Pick: Naito by decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Naito -125
Ahmad Hassanzada vs Dylan Mantello
- Ahmad Hassanzada
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 10-3
- UFC Record: 0-1
- Key Wins: Beat a well rounded 4-0 fighter.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Dylan Mantello
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 8-3
- UFC Record: 0-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a 9-3 grappler.
- Striking: a little above average average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
Hassanzada’s loss to Nazim Sadykhov has certainly aged well as we’ve seen how good Sadykhov is. Somewhat possible Mantello’s grappling could be a 60, but with the way he got bulldozed by Kaynan Kruschewsky, I see it as closer to a 55 tool right now. Pretty sure his striking is a 55.
Chris’ Pick: Hassanzada by decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Hassanzada -250