Kaiwan vs Kanda, Niushiyue vs Choi, Zha vs Kim Fight Picks – Road to UFC – Singapore Semifinals 1 – August 27, 2023

Kaiwen Li vs Kouya Kanda

• Kaiwen Li
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 11-5
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Wins: Submitted a 4-1 striker. Knocked out a well rounded 5-1 fighter.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Kouya Kanda
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 12-4
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Losses: Split decision loss to an 18-6 wrestler.
• Key Wins: Beat a well rounded 3-0 fighter and a 3-0 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Really small sample. Fight between Kaiwen and Lu only went a minute. But Kaiwen appears to be much better than I thought. Blitzed Lu, showed better striking, albeit in a tiny sample. I think he blitzes Kanda and overwhelms him just like Lu.

Chris’ Pick: Kaiwen by 1st round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Kaiwen -200

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Niushiyue Ji vs Seung Guk Choi

• Niushiyue Ji
• Age: 22
• Pro Record: 12-2
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 10-2 fighter.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: above average (60)
• Grappling: average (50)

• Seung Guk Choi
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 7-2
• UFC Record: 3-1
• Key WIns: Beat a well rounded 8-0 fighter and an 8-3 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Choi did out strike Sumit Kumar 64 to 35. So clearly Choi is the better striker. But it’s hard to say exactly how good Kumar’s striking is, so I’m going to leave Choi’s striking a 55 for now, but it could be a 60. So Choi might land a few more shots than Niushiyue, but I think Niushiyue has more power and better wrestling and should win.

Chris’ Pick: Niushiyue by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Niushiyue -175

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Zha Yi vs Sang Won Kim

• Zha Yi
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 22-4
• UFC Record: 3-1
• Key Losses: Split decision loss to Jeong Yeong Lee.
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-3 fighter. Submitted a well rounded 9-1 fighter. Split decision wins over a 13-5 striker and a well rounded 10-3 fighter.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Sang Won Kim
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 10-5-1
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Draws: Fought a 9-6 wrestler to a draw.
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 11-2 fighter. Submitted Jack Jenkins in 2018.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

Could go either way. I see Zha getting some take downs and top control. But he’ll have to watch out for Kim’s power.

Chris’ Pick: Zha by deicison.

What I think the odds should be: Zha -125

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Rei Tsuruya vs Mark Climaco

• Rei Tsuruya
• Age: 21
• Pro Record: 7-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 wrestler. Submitted a 7-0 striker and an 8-3 wrestler.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: above average (60)

• Mark Climaco
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 8-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 6-0 fighter. Beat a 3-0 striker, a 5-0 wrestler, a 4-0 striker, a well rounded 4-0 fighter, and a 5-1 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: above average (60)

Tsuruya will likely have the wrestling to stuff Climaco’s take downs attempts, will have better striking and a lot more power.

Chris’ Pick: Tsuruya by 2nd round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Tsuruya -200

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Peter Danesoe vs Nyamjargal Tumendemberel

• Peter Danesoe
• Age: 22
• Pro Record: 6-2
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 5-0 fighter and a 3-0 grappler.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Nyamjargal Tumendemberel
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 7-0
• UFC Record: 1-0
• Key Wins: Split decision over a 9-4 striker.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

Total coin flip fight. But I have more confidence that Tumendemberel’s striking is a 60.

Chris’ Pick: Tumendemberel by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Tumendemberel -125