Miller vs Gandra, Wilson vs Barbosa, Yakhyaev vs Lorenz Fight Picks – Contender Series – August 26, 2025

Trent Miller vs Ryan Gandra

• Trent Miller
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 8-2
• Key Losses: Submitted by a well rounded 21-10-1 fighter.
• Key Wins: Split decision over a 5-1 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Ryan Gandra
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 7-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter, a 3-0 striker, and a 13-4 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Chris’ Pick: Gandra by 1st round knockout.

What odds I think the favorite should be at: Gandra -125

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Damon Wilson vs Marcio Barbosa

• Damon Wilson
• Age: 32
• Pro Record: 9-2
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: average (50)

• Marcio Barbosa
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 16-2
• Key Wins: Knocked out an 8-2 striker, a well rounded 10-3 fighter, a well rounded 6-2 fighter and a well rounded 13-2 fighter. Submitted a 5-0 grappler.
• Striking: near plus (65)
• Power: near plus (65)
• Wrestling: above average (60)

Chris’ Pick: Barbosa by 1st round knockout.

What odds I think the favorite should be at: Barbosa -300

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Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Alik Lorenz

• Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev
• Age: 24
• Pro Record: 6-0
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 5-2 fighter and a 5-1 striker. Beat a 7-0 striker.
• Striking: near plus (65)
• Power: near plus (65)
• Grappling: near plus (65)

• Alik Lorenz
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 6-1
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: average (50)

Chris’ Pick: Yakhyaev by 1st round submission.

What odds I think the favorite should be at: Yakhyaev -500

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Cristian Perez vs Manoel Sousa

• Cristian Perez
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 13-1
• Key Wins: Beat a 3-0 wrestler and a 4-0 wrestler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Manoel Sousa
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 12-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out Mauricio Ruffy and a well rounded 13-4 fighter. Beat a well rounded 8-2-1 fighter.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: above average (60)

Chris’ Pick: Sousa by decision.

What odds I think the favorite should be at: Sousa -200

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Donte Johnson vs Darion Abbey

• Donte Johnson
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 5-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 3-0 fighter.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Darion Abbey
• Age: 32
• Pro Record: 9-4
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 6-1 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: average (50)

I heard Abbey trains at Kill Cliff and thought, okay, he’s going to be good. But I was underwhelmed. His second to last fight out he took on a 7-7 striker who hadn’t fought in 6 years and Abbey struggled. He was actually dropped not once, but twice.

Chris’ Pick: Johnson by 1st round knockout.

What odds I think the favorite should be at: Johnson -225