Cory Sandhagen – Decision (Vera’s weakness off his back, exploited by a washed-up Frankie Edgar, remains a major issue that cannot be overlooked. Sandhagen is a consummate game planner and exceptional at adapting on the fly. Although The Sandman doesn’t represent the strongest wrestler at 135 lbs, he will still threaten with his wrestling to keep Vera on edge. Still, Chito has rounded out his lethal clinch striking and distance kicking game to incorporate more mature periods of control grappling. Expecting a razor-close decision that favours Sandhagen’s activity over Vera’s highlight reel moments)
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Holly Holm – Decision (Considering Holm’s ultra-conservative volume on the feet, the contests’ dire pace could encourage Santos to open up a little on the feet. Backing Holm’s TDD to keep this as a tame affair on the feet with the veteran’s technical polish making the difference. Much like the Main Event, a close decision could be on the cards, but this time for all the wrong reasons)
Nate Landwehr – Submission Round 3 (After missing 2022 with a string of injuries, Lingo returns to the octagon cold. It’s never a good call to put your entire faith in Landwehr, especially considering Lingo’s fast starts and heavy hands. Even so, Lingo’s limited bag of tricks will more likely see him stuck against the cage)
Maycee Barber – Decision (KGB submitted Antonina Shevchenko and Cynthia Calvillo but her best showings have been on the feet. Lee’s point-style striking leave a constant barrage of straight shots that will create early problems for Mayceee Barber’s brawling pressure. As long as Barber isn’t drawn into a low-paced kickboxing fight, her strength in the clinch should put a scoring stamp on the rounds)
Manel Kape – TKO Round 2 (A freak athletic specimen, Kape’s power and speed look unnatural – even in the fastest male division. Perez returns after a long spell on the sidelines and will have to rely on his wrestling chops to prevent another early demise)
Chidi Njokuani – TKO Round 1 (Duraev was stopped by Joaquin Buckley last time out, his fourth career stoppage loss. It hardly inspires confidence ahead of a match-up with a one-shot killer like Chidi Njokuani. Njokuani isn’t a defensive savant but his straight counters will punish Duraev if he runs in blindly winging hooks)
Tucker Lutz – Decision (Pineda’s lethal finishing is no joke, but his age and ‘natural approach’ will hit a wall against the relentless pace of Tucker Lutz. A hard grafter from the opening bell, Lutz will force the veteran to match his intensity throughout. Add in Top Gun’s durability and it seems like a tough night’s work for Pineda)
Steven Peterson – Decision (Ocho’s body is unlikely to hold up much longer at Featherweight after a career of big weight cuts and inviting damage. There may be another day in the sun for the old dog against Lucas Alexander, however. The Brazilian carries a solid punch but not to the extent that it will earn Peterson’s respect in the opening exchanges)
Trevin Giles – Decision (Back Trevin Giles at your own peril. Mental errors have plagued the Texan throughout his career and is a proper coin-flip fighter. Parsons is a slick submission artist but I’m backing Giles’ durability and TDD to bumble him through to a split decision)
CJ Vergara – TKO Round 2 (I’m a fan of the heavy-handed, all-action Daniel da Silva. The Brazilian’s knack for sprinting out of the blocks at 100mph will eventually see him sneak a win. Unfortunately, the Flyweight’s style does him few favours against an experienced opponent with technical know-how like CJ Vergara)
Victor Altamirano – Submission Round 3 (Rolling into the octagon off a second-round KO on the DWCS, Vinicius Salvador looks set to inject venomous power into the Flyweight division. Losses to Jafel Filho and Rafael Costa on the regional scene stemmed from glaring gas tank issues, however. Considering Victor Altamirano will happily oblige in a firefight early doors, it may not prove an issue in his debut. Early rounds TKO Salvador, late rounds submission Altamirano)
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