Artem Vakhitov vs Islem Masraf
- Artem Vakhitov
- Age: 33
- Pro Record: 2-1
- Striking: plus (70)
- Power: plus (70)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Islem Masraf
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 3-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 3-1 striker.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Grappling: above average (60)
Masraf hasn’t fought the best compeition, as he only has 3 pro MMA fights, but he looks like the real deal. Patient and very fast. Vakhitov is most famous for having a win over Alex Pereira in kickboxing.
Chris’ Pick: Vakhitov by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Vakhitov -175
Kody Steele vs Chasen Blair
- Kody Steele
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Chasen Blair
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 6-2
- Key Wins: Submitted an 8-2 grappler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
On the surface, it might seem like Blair has better tools than the 55 grades suggest, but he’s not as defensively responsible on the feet.
Chris’ Pick: Steele by split decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Steele -125
Mario Pinto vs Lucas Camacho
- Mario Pinto
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 8-0
- Key Wins: Beat a 5-1 striker and a well rounded 8-3 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Lucas Camacho
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter and a 4-1 striker.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
Pinto looks like a monster, is 6’5, has really long reach, but seems like he doesn’t know how to use it. I was underwhelmed, looks better on paper than how he did in his last fight. Camacho’s striking is at least a 60. Trains at Nova Uniao.
Chris’ Pick: Camacho by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Camacho -225
Islam Dulatov vs Vanilton Antunes
- Islam Dulatov
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 10-1
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: a little above average (55)
- Vanilton Antunes
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 16-6
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter and a well rounded 18-6 fighter.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
I wasn’t that big of a fan of what I saw from Dulatov in his last fight. Yes, the 1st round KO looks nice, but Dulatov got lucky. He emptied the gas tank in the 1st and was wild going for the KO. Dulatov got hit a lot and his opponent started to swing the momentum towards the end of the round, before Dulatov caught him and knocked him out. But had the fight gone into the 2nd round, Dulatov wouldn’t have had much left.
Chris’ Pick: Antunes by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Antunes -200
Sean Gauci vs Anthony Drilich
- Sean Gauci
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 9-1
- Key Wins: Beat Steve Erceg.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
- Anthony Drilich
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 3-0 fighter. Split decision over a 2-0 striker.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Grappling: above average (60)
Not a lot of recent video and or cage time for Gauci, but he does have a win over UFC contender Erceg. But. It was back in 2017. And. It was Erceg’s 2nd pro fight. But still impressive nonetheless. Drilich is fast with his in and out movement, efficient, patient, accurate. Striking could be as high as a 65.
Chris’ Pick: Gauci by decision.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Gauci -175