Cortez Jr vs Rodriguez, Buday vs Hood, Hadley vs Raposo Fight Picks – Contender Series – October 12, 2021

Reyes Cortez Jr vs Christian Rodriguez

• Reyes Cortez Jr
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 5-1
• Key Losses: Split decision loss to a 4-3 striker.
• Key Wins: Beat a 3-0 grappler.
• Tools: Cortez has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).

• Christian Rodriguez
• Age: 23
• Pro Record: 5-0
• Tools: Rodriguez has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average grappling (50).

Both guys are pretty similar. I have them graded exactly the same. But Rodriguez’s cardio and pace is on another level. Being that I have to project a bit in picking here, I see Rodriguez putting a pace on Cortez and Cortez starting to fade in the 2nd half of the fight. The volume will get it done.

Chris’ Pick: Rodriguez by decision.

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Lorenzo Hood vs Martin Buday

• Lorenzo Hood
• Age: 32
• Pro Record: 12-4
• Key Losses: Knocked out by a well rounded 3-3 fighter. Submitted by a 10-4 grappler.
• Tools: Hood has striking that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average wrestling (45).

• Martin Buday
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 8-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out a 7-1 striker.
• Tools: Buday has striking that’s a little above average (55) and fringe average wrestling (45).

Anybody’s fight here. Heavyweights. I have them graded exactly the same. And I have no idea why Buday is a -400 favorite? Do people think Buday has wrestling and will take down Hood? I doubt it. I’m picking Buday because Hood is fighting on less than 2 weeks notice. Buday should have better cardio. But if you can get Hood at anywhere near +300, I think there’s some value there.

Chris’ Pick: Buday by 2nd round knockout.

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Jake Hadley vs Mitch Raposo

• Jake Hadley
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 7-0
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 7-2 fighter. Beat a well rounded 10-2-1 fighter and a well rounded 7-1 fighter.
• Tools: Hadley has average striking (50) and above average grappling (60).

• Mitch Raposo
• Age: 22
• Pro Record: 5-0
• Tools: Raposo has fringe average striking (45) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).

Grappler vs grappler is matched up here. Both really prefer using it. But they’ll be forced to stand up here. Based on what I’ve seen, I like Hadley’s striking a bit better. But there’s no way Hadley should be a -300. Way too heavy. Raposo’s striking could be closer to a 50. Raposo is a live dog.

Chris’ Pick: Hadley by decision.

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Chris Duncan vs Viacheslav Borshchev

• Chris Duncan
• Age: 26
• Pro Record: 7-0
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 8-2 fighter and a 14-5 wrestler.
• Tools: Duncan has striking that’s a little above average (55) and average wrestling (50).

• Viacheslav Borshchev
• Age: 29
• Pro Record: 4-1
• Key Wins: Beat a 4-1 wrestler.
• Tools: Borshchev has average striking (50) and fringe average wrestling (45).

I watched Borshchev take on a well rounded 3-1 fighter and it was a pretty pedestrian performance. Very average. Got taken down a few times. Got up. As of now, Duncan is only a -175 favorite and I’m pretty shocked by that. I think Duncan should be at -350, at least.

Chris’ Pick: Duncan by 1st round knockout.

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Maria Silva vs Kathryn Paprocki

• Maria Silva
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 6-0
• Key Wins: Submitted a well rounded 5-0 fighter.
• Tools: Silva has above average striking (60) and grappling that’s a little above average (55).

• Kathyrn Paprocki
• Age: 28
• Pro Record: 3-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a 3-0 striker.
• Tools: Paprocki has average striking (50) and average grappling (50).

Paprocki has proven to be a scrappy fighter. But she’s going to be really over matched here. Silva hasn’t fought in about 2 years. She’ll be fresh. Probably has gotten better. Her speed is a sight to behold. Her power is going to overwhelm Paprocki.

Chris’ Pick: Silva by 2nd round knockout.