Tavares vs Romious, Zenidim vs Lima, Matthews vs Farias Fight Picks – Contender Series – October 10, 2023

Ramon Taveras vs Cortavious Romious

• Ramon Taveras
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 8-2
• UFC Record: 0-1
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: average (50)

• Cortavious Romious
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 5-1
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

I wish I was able to see more of Romious, but his fights recently end so quick. I really like his hand speed. Striking could be as high as a 65 if he has the cardio to push the pace for 15 minutes. And did Taveras’ fight get stopped early? Yeah. But if the ref had let the fight continue, Taveras just would’ve taken more damage. And now Taveras is coming back just a month later, a month after taking that damage. I don’t think his chin is going to hold up.

Chris’ Pick: Romious by 1st round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Romious -300

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Rickson Zenidim vs Andre Lima

• Rickson Zenidim
• Age: 24
• Pro Record: 14-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 4-1 fighter and a 9-3 wrestler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Andre Lima
• Age: 24
• Pro Record: 6-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 3-0 fighter and a well rounded 7-2 fighter.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Looking at Zenidim’s record, you’d think his grappling would be a 60. But I watched one of his more recent fights against a 14-1 wrestler and Zenidim was manhandled for most of the fight. Zenidim would repeatedly get up, but there’s no way I can give that tool a 60 grade after that. The 14-1 record for Zenidim is nice and shiny, but a bit padded. When watching Lima, I was impressed with his cardio and ability to stay calm, even when he wasn’t in the best position. He didn’t give up or get down on himself. I like Lima’s striking more than Zenidim’s.

Chris’ Pick: Lima by 2nd round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Lima -200

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Connor Matthews vs Jair Farias

• Connor Matthews
• Age: 31
• Pro Record: 6-1
• UFC Record: 0-1
• Key Wins: Submitted an 8-3 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: a little above average (55)

• Jair Farias
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 10-0
• Key Wins: Submitted a 3-0 striker. Knocked out a 4-1 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Coin flip fight, but I’m picking Farias because I think his striking is closer to a 60 grade.

Chris’ Pick: Farias by 1st round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Farias -125

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Yuri Panferov vs Torrez Finney

• Yuri Panferov
• Age: 27
• Pro Record: 6-0
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: average (50)
• Grappling: near plus (65)

• Torrez Finney
• Age: 24
• Pro Record: 6-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-1 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: above average (60)

I’ll admit that there’s some projection baked into Panferov’s 65 grappling grade. The reality is we haven’t see if against any quality competition. But. Five 1st round submission wins in 6 fights, plus one 1st round knockout win is very impressive. Didn’t see too much of his striking, so yes, there is a danger I’m over rating him. And I haven’t seen too much of Finney’s striking either. Probably a 55. What stands out about Finney is that he looks a lot like Jeremiah Wells, very muscular, and you’d think he’s not going to have cardio and wrestle all fight. But his cardio actually holds up. Small, slight chance his wrestling is a 65. This fight could go either way, but I give Panferov a slight edge for probably having better striking.

Chris’ Pick: Panferov by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Panferov -175

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Issa Isakov vs Marquel Mederos

• Issa Isakov
• Age: 33
• Pro Record: 12-3
• Key Wins: Submitted an 8-2 striker and a 13-2 striker. Beat a 12-4 striker.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: above average (60)

• Marquel Mederos
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 7-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 5-1 fighter. Beat a 5-0 wrestler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Watching Mederos against a 8-5-1 striker, I wasn’t that impressed with him. His wrestling could be as low as a 50. I think Isakov will have the cardio to take Mederos down over and over again.

Chris’ Pick: Isakov by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Isakov -175

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Lucas Rocha vs Davi Bittencourt

• Lucas Rocha
• Age: 23
• Pro Record: 16-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 7-0 grappler, a 10-3 striker, a well rounded 5-1 fighter, and a 7-2 grappler. Beat an 11-3 wrestler.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Davi Bittencourt
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 14-3
• Key Wins: Submitted a 10-2 striker. Beat a well rounded 10-1 fighter.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: above average (60)
• Grappling: near plus (65)

Doesn’t happen often, but when I watched Rocha, he wasn’t as good as I thought he’d be based on his resume. And on the other side, Bittencourt, after watching him, he was better than I thought. I didn’t like how Rocha was out grappled by an 11-3 grappler in his last fight. Rocha winning had more to do with his opponent gassing out than anything. It wouldn’t shock me if this fight is close but I think Bittencourt gets it done with take downs.

Chris’ Pick: Bittencourt by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Bittencourt -200