Jailton Almeida vs Nasrudin Nasrudinov
- Jailton Almeida
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 13-2
- Key Wins: Submitted a 19-4 wrestler.
- Tools: Almieda has striking that’s a little above average (55) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).
- Nasrudin Nasrudinov
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 9-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter, a 15-4 striker, and an 11-2 striker. Beat a 6-2 grappler.
- Tools: Nasrudinov has striking that’s a little above average (55) and above average wrestling (60).
It’s really hard to bet Nasrudinov because there’s zero film on Almeida out there, except for him in BJJ matches. On paper, it looks like he has well rounded 55 tools. But I could be wrong. They could be 50s. They could be 60s. Based on Nasrudinov being priced at -225, it seems the oddsmakers think his grappling is probably a 50 and that Nasrudinov will be able to take him down. It’s a bit of a projection, but that’s why I’m picking Nasrudinov, but it’s not a very confident pick.
Chris’ Pick: Nasrudinov by decision.
Brandon Lewis vs Mo Miller
- Brandon Lewis
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 3-0 fighter. Submitted a 3-0 grappler. Split decision over a 2-0 fighter.
- Tools: Lewis has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).
- Mo Miller
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 5-0
- Key Wins: Submitted a 4-0 grappler. Knocked out a well rounded 5-2 fighter.
- Tools: Miller has striking that’s a little above average (55) and above average wrestling (60).
On paper, it would appear that Miller has some 55 striking. And he does. But what I was surprised with is how he dominated his last fight with his wrestling. Easy 60 wrestling. Knocked out a well rounded 5-2 fighter with slams. From what I saw of Lewis, he doesn’t have the wrestling to stuff the take downs.
Chris’ Pick: Miller by 1st round ground and pound TKO.
Albert Duraev vs Caio Bittencourt
- Albert Duraev
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 13-3
- Key Wins: Submitted a 13-3 wrestler, a 5-0 grappler, and a well rounded 7-1 fighter. Knocked out a well rounded 32-5 fighter and a 30-5 grappler. Beat Sergey Khandozhko and a 13-3 wrestler.
- Tools: Duraev has above average striking (60) and above average grappling (60).
- Caio Bittencourt
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 14-6
- Key Losses: Knocked out by a 3-1 wrestler.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Bittencourt has average striking (50) and average wrestling (50).
Duraev’s resume on paper looked impressive and after watching him, he definitely lives up to the hype. The man is a tank. Well rounded 60 tools. Durable. Meanwhile, Bittencourt appears to be pretty average. There’s not a lot of film available on him. Even if his striking is more like a 55, I still expect Duraev to out strike him. The only real threat to Duraev losing here is gassing out going for an early finish.
Chris’ Pick: Duraev by 2nd round ground and pound TKO.
Lukasz Brzeski vs Dylan Potter
- Lukasz Brzeski
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Key Draws: Fought an 18-10 striker to a draw.
- Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 6-1 fighter. Beat a 20-5 striker.
- Tools: Brzeski has striking that’s a little above average (55). He also has wrestling that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).
- Dylan Potter
- Age: 26
- Pro Record: 10-5
- Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 17-7 wrestler.
- Tools: Potter has average striking (50) and fringe average grappling (45).
Potter fought a 17-7 journeyman wrestler and got taken down repeatedly. Which means he should really have trouble with a legit prospect here in Brzeksi who has well rounded 55 tools. Even if I’m wrong and they stand and trade, Brzeski should have the better striking too.
Chris’ Pick: Brzeski by 2nd round ground and pound TKO.
Ange Loosa vs Jack Della
- Ange Loosa
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 7-1
- Key Wins: Split decision loss to an 8-4 wrestler.
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 12-2 fighter. Split decision win over a 3-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Loosa has average striking (50) and average wrestling (50).
- Jack Della
- Age: 24
- Pro Record: 9-2
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-0 grappler and a 4-0 wrestler.
- Tools: Della has striking that’s a little above average (55) and wrestling that’s above average (55).
When I watched Loosa, I kept expecting more from him. Athletically, he looked above average, but it didn’t always translate in the fight. I’ve seen a couple of Della’s fights and he very solid, very well rounded. I’m confident in grading his 55 tools. Della should have the better striking here.
Chris’ Pick: Della by 2nd round knockout.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Julia Polastri
- Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 5-1
- Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 4-0 striker.
- Tools: Jasudavicius has striking that’s a little above average (55) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
- Julia Polastri
- Age: 23
- Pro Record: 8-2
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 9-1 wrestler. Submitted a well rounded 8-2 fighter. Beat a well rounded 7-2 fighter.
- Tools: Polastri has striking that’s a little above average (55) and wrestling that’s a little above average (55).
Coin flip fight that could go either way. I’m forced to grade by projection here and I like the futures of both. But if I have to pick, which I do, I’m going to pick Jasudavicius because of the reach advantage she has. She knows how to stay at range. Between the two, she’s most likely to have better grades than the 55’s I have her.
Chris’ Pick: Jasudavicius by split decision.