Andreas Gustafsson vs Pat Pytlik
- Andreas Gustafsson
- Age: 33
- Pro Record: 10-2
- Key Losses: Majority decision loss to Joilton Lutterbach.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 10-2 wrestler and an 8-3 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Pat Pytlik
- Age: 35
- Pro Record: 9-1
- Key Losses: Submitted by a well rounded 13-8 fighter.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
Gustafsson’s striking is a borderline 60 grade. Close. But he gets hit way too much so I have him as a 55 for now.
Chris’ Pick: Gustafsson by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Gustafsson -135
Rizvan Kuniev vs Hugo Cunha
- Rizvan Kuniev
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 11-2-1
- UFC Record: 1-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 12-2 striker, a 5-0 wrestler and an 11-4 striker.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
- Hugo Cunha
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 wrestler. Submitted a 5-1 striker and a 7-2 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: alittle above average (55)
Kuniev might look like a wrestler and fight like one, but his opponent on the Contender had striking that was no less than a 55 grade. And Kuniev out struck him 42 to 11. Watching Cunha against Contender alum Eduardo Neves was helpful. Because you look at Cunha’s resume, see the 8-1 record, 4 KO’s, 4 submissions and think okay, that’s impressive. But when I watched him, I was underwhelmed. Yes, he submitted Neves, but that’s only after Neves gassed out mid way through the fight. Before that point, Cunha got nowhere close to take Neves down. Maybe Cunha’s grappling could be a 60 with better cardio and conditioning.
Chris’ Pick: Kuniev by 2nd round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Kuniev -400
Cortavious Romious vs Michael Imperato
- Cortavious Romious
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 6-2
- UFC Record: 0-1
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: above average (60)
- Michael Imperato
- Age: 34
- Pro Record: 12-6
- Key Losses: Knocked out by a 10-8 striker and a 6-5 striker.
- Striking: fringe average (45)
- Power: below average (35)
- Grappling: average (50)
Imperato’s fourth to last fight, he gets knocked out by a 10-8 striker. Then was taken down and controlled for almost the whole fight by a 10-12 wrestler. Now, maybe Imperato was content to work his submission game, maybe he could’ve gotten up, but regardless, I think Imperato lost the fight. Then Imperato loses to a 6-5 striker. And his last fight, he upsets a 15-7 striker.
Chris’ Pick: Romious by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be: Romious -500
Torrez Finney vs Cameron Rowston
- Torrez Finney
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 8-0
- UFC Record: 1-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-1 grappler. Submitted a 7-0 grappler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
- Cameron Rowston
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 8-2
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Grappling: average (50)
Rowston only has 1 pro fight in the last 3 years. First fight in 2 years. Rowston is huge for the weight class. Long reach. Looks like he could be really good. But he gets hit a lot. Possible he’s improved the last few years though. Fight of his I watched was back in 2018. There’s a chance Finney is one dimensional with just 55 striking, but it’s also possible he improved there. We didn’t see much stand up from him last time on the Contender.
Chris’ Pick: Finney by 1st round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Finney -300
Billy Brand vs Cody Haddon
- Billy Brand
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 5-1
- Key Wins: Beat a 3-0 wrestler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Cody Haddon
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-0 striker.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: near plus (65)
To know how good Haddon is, all you have to do is watch his fight in 2021 against title contender Steve Erceg. Exciting, back and forth fight, Erceg probably had 65 tools back then. Haddon lost a really close fight and that was 3 years ago.
Chris’ Pick: Haddon by 2nd round knockout.
What odds I think the favorite should be at: Haddon -400