Julia Avila by KO/TKO (+340)
Shavkat Rakhmonov by Sub (+500)
Raoni Barcelos by Finish (+260)
Daniel Pineda by Finish (+370)
OSP by Sub (+500)
Shavkat Rakhmonov by ko or submission
Has never let any of his fights go to decision, boasting 7 KOs and 6 submissions.
Made quick work in his debut of an 5lbs over-weight-limit Alex Oliveira, a UFC veteran notorious for fighting dirty. With impressive shot selection, quick movement and good clinch work, he managed to make the UFC veteran look like an amateur in his debut, submitting him in the final minute of the first round.
Ciryl Gane v Alexander Volkov
Ciryl Gane to win @1.63
For the division Volkov has above-average kickboxing technique, average power, average chin, average athleticism, below-average wrestling. Gane looks to be one of those prospects with next-level athleticism. His muay thai background gives him technical skills to hang with Volkov. We believe he is stronger and faster than Volkov. With 14 TD attempts in his most recent bout vs Bigi Boy, Gane showed a willingness and ability to wrestle. People are writing off the JDS win because “JDS is washed.” Well, before JDS hit this current snag against 4 very good opponents he was on a 3-0 streak in 2018-19; JDS is still a relevant test as he is chinny as fuck but you need to be good enough to get to his chin to beat him. More interesting of course is Gane’s most recent aforementioned win over Bigi Boy, who like Volkov is a patient technical striker with a kickboxing background. That fight saw Gane easily win every round, displaying a mature mindset never putting himself in danger pushing for a finish like many heavyweight fighters do.
To boot Gane trains with Ngannou at MMA Factory. This guy has the skills, background, mindset to be great. We don’t see a lot of factors pointing to picking Volkov other than the narrative-biased idea that “he’s more experienced so he will win.” On tape, does Gane look green? What does Volkov do better than Gane on tape?
Ovince Saint Preux v Tanner Boser
Over 2.5 Rounds @ 1.83
Neither man is going to apply intense pressure. OSP is going to rely on range with using his kicks and jab, whereas Boser is going to try to mix it up working the body with kicks and throwing a 2 punch combo with the left hand finishing.
Boser has a great chin – took 65 significant strikes from Gane a couple years ago and Latifi landed some good ones that snapped the head back. He’s also just flat out good with his footwork and getting out of harms way, plus he keeps that head down when he moves inside. Obviously he’s got a lot of work to do on the ground, but we don’t even think this fight touches the mat – OSP hasn’t shot for a takedown/attempted a sub in his last 3 fights – and the one that surprises me the most is a lack of a TD attempt on Ben Rothwell, who would’ve been lost on his back – so we’re favouring a standup fight here. Boser did get worked on the ground by Latifi, but got up once, plus OSP doesn’t have the wrestling skillset of the Swede.
OSP is the one we’re worried about. Coming of a KO loss in the second round is unfavourable, but he also missed weight because he couldn’t do the cut + was having some back issues. However, he doesn’t have any head movement at all, and simply relies on moving backwards/away to slip punches, but as long as he uses his reach in the first round I think he can survive the next two.
Boser by 29-28 decision because leg kicks aren’t going to be enough for OSP.