Diyar Nurkozhay vs Bartosz Szewczyk
- Diyar Nurkozhay
- Age: NA
- Pro Record: 9-0
- Key Wins: Beat a 12-3 grappler.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Bartosz Szewczyk
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 8-2-1
- Key Losses: Lost to a 13-9 wrestler.
- Key Draws: Fought a well rounded 11-6 fighter to a majority draw.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-2 grappler, a 4-1 striker and a well rounded 4-0-1 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
Szewczyk looks like a generic. Well rounded. His last fight was a rematch against an opponent he lost to Marcin Lazarz. Szewcyzk’s game plan was probably to be patient, but to me it looked hesitant. I didn’t see much confidence. Nurkozhay has big power, cardio looks good.
Chris’ Pick: Nurkozhay by 2nd round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Nurkozhay -225
Alberto Montes vs Carlos Calderon
- Alberto Montes
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Submitted an 8-2 grappler and a well rounded 5-1 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: fringe average (45)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
- Carlos Calderon
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 6-2
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
I’m tempted to grade Calderon a tad higher being he trains with Elevation in Denver, but I watched his last fight with a 3-2 striker. Calderon got dropped. But stayed in the fight, took advantage of the opponents lack of grappling. Watched Montes get knocked out by a 2-0 wrestler a couple years ago. He’s had a couple wins since then but still don’t know how much I trust his chin.
Chris’ Pick: Calderon by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Calderon -175
David Martinez vs Xavier Franklin
- David Martinez
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 10-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 5-1 fighter.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Xavier Franklin
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-2 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
Martinez looks like a potential title contender. He’s got it all: speed, footwork, great cardio, big power. His ability to close distance stands out. He puts on a pace that melts his opponents.
Chris’ Pick: Martinez by 2nd round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Martinez -350
Torrez Finney vs Abdelah Er-Ramy
- Torrez Finney
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 9-0
- UFC Record: 2-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-1 grappler. Submitted a 7-0 grappler. Beat a well rounded 8-2 fighter.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
- Abdelah Er-Ramy
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-1 striker.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
It’s possible that Er-Ramy’s wrestling could be a 60, but watching his last fight in the PFL, he got taken down by a 5-1 striker in the first round and I’m pretty sure the opponent’s wrestling isn’t better than a 55.
Chris’ Pick: Finney by decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Finney -200
Jacobe Smith vs Christien Savoie
- Jacobe Smith
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 8-0
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
- Christien Savoie
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 10-1
- Key Draws: Fought a well rounded 3-1 fighter to a draw.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter. Beat a well rounded 4-1 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
I watched Savoie take on a well rounded 3-1 fighter a year and a half ago and didn’t like what I saw. Savoie blitzed the opponent. Knocked him down. Yes, he was going hard for the finish, but it wasn’t like he was going hard for 2 or 3 minutes straight. The opponent was able to survive, took Savoie down, and kept him there. Took Savoie down repeatedly and kept ground control for the majority of the rest of the fight. So I think what happened was a mixed bag of Savoie maybe having an adrenaline dump. Maybe his cardio isn’t that great and maybe his wrestling is just an average 50 grade. I know Savoie has some hype as being a top prospect from Canada, he’s had 2 fights after the one I watched. Maybe he got his wrestling up to a 55, but I’m confident in saying it’s not higher than that.
Chris’ Pick: Smith by decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Smith -300