Tafon Nchukwi vs Al Matavao
- Tafon Nchukwi
- Age: 25
- Pro Record: 3-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out William Knight.
- Tools: Nchukwi has above average striking (60) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Al Matavao
- Age: NA
- Pro Record: 8-2
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 5-1 grappler and a 3-0 striker.
- Tools: Motavao has frirge average striking (45).
Nchukwi’s knockout win over Knight looks all the more impressive now. Matavao looks to be a decent prospect, but Nchukwi’s striking and wrestling is on another tier.
Chris’ Pick: Nchukwi knocks Matavao out in the 1st round.
Cameron Church vs Sherrard Blackledge
- Cameron Church
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 4-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a 6-1 striker.
- Tools: Church has above average striking (60). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).
- Sherrard Blackledge
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 4-0
- Tools: Blackledge has fringe average striking (45) and average wrestling (50).
Blackledge looks like a decent prospect but the best opponent he’s beat so far had a 2-0 record. Church’s best tool is his cardio. He puts on a high pace and makes his weapons even more dangerous in the 2nd half of the fight. Blackledge has no experience fighting anybody at Church’s level. I think the first round will be close and then Church will start to pour it on.
Chris’ Pick: Church knocks Blackledge out in the 3rd round.
Phil Hawes vs Khadzhimurat Bestaev
- Phil Hawes
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 7-2
- Tools: Hawes has fringe average striking (45) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Khadzhimurat Bestaev
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 10-3
- Key Losses: Knocked out by a 6-5 striker.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 3-1 striker. Submitted a well rounded 4-0 fighter.
- Tools: Bestaev has fringe average striking (45). He also has below average wrestling (40) and below average grappling (40).
- Hawes should have the wrestling to take Bestaev down at will.
Bestaev fought a 6-5 striker not too long ago that had no problem taking Bestaev down, keeping him there, and getting a ground and pound TKO win. Hawes is an even better wrestler and predict he’ll be able to do the same thing.
Chris’ Pick: Hawes by ground and pound TKO in the 1st round.
Leomana Martinez vs Drako Rodriguez
- Leomana Martinez
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 9-1 wrestler and a 3-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Martinez has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Drako Rodriguez
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 6-1
- Key Wins: Submitted a 5-1 striker.
- Tools: Rodriguez has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).
I like Martinez’s resume on who he’s beat. He should be better than Rodriguez on the feet. And even if he isn’t, he should be able to take Rodriguez down to win.
Chris’ Pick: Martinez by 1st round knockout.
Aliaskhab Khizriev vs Henrique Shiguemoto
- Aliaskhab Khizriev
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 12-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out Rousimar Palhares
- Tools: Khizriev has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average grappling (45).
- Henrique Shiguemoto
- Age: 31
- Pro Record: 13-3
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-0 striker and an 8-3 wrestler.
- Tools: Shiguemento has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has fringe average wrestling (45).
Fight on the feet could be close but Khizriev’s wrestling is the best tool in the fight. He also has big time fight experience by knocking out a scary opponent in Palhares.
Chris’ Pick: Khizriev by 2nd round ground and pound TKO.